THE achievements of young people living in care have been recognised at an awards ceremony.

Hundreds of children, young people and carers from all over the borough came together at the DW Stadium to celebrate a year of caring at Wigan’s Winter Wonderland Awards.

The Children in Care Awards, organised by the Voices For Choices youth council, is an annual event which recognises the achievements and dedication of children and young people living in care and their carers.

This year’s ceremony took Disney’s smash-hit animated musical Frozen as its theme and special guests all got into the spirit by dressing up as Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven.

The awards are supported by Wigan Council and saw a total of nine awards up for grabs for both children and adults alike.

Joe Shaw from Gregory Avenue Children's Home in Atherton won the Kristoff Award which recognises young people who have a positive attitude and who often give support to others.

Judge and guest speaker Cllr Joanne Platt, who is the council’s cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “All the award winners really deserve their accolades. In fact everyone who took part in the ceremony is a winner.

“The winners have shown extraordinary dedication to their families, friends and to the communities they live in through individual acts of kindness, caring for others and giving up their own time to make life better for other people.”

Cllr Platt used the occasion to announce the council’s plans to develop a new Deal for Children and Young People, which will include inviting children and young people to get more involved in their communities and share their views with the council.

Cllr Platt said: “The views and opinions of young people are really important to us and we want them to have a greater say in what happens in our borough. We want them to play their part by getting involved in their local community and making a contribution, just like our award winners.”