A TEAM of young volunteers has been highly commended for their efforts tidying up South Lakeland grot spots.

Three 16-year-olds from Underley Hall School, Kirkby Lonsdale - which caters for both boys and girls aged 8-17 years with behavioural, emotional, and social difficulties - were rewarded at the Cumbria Young Volunteer of the Year evening for their involvement in a ‘Blooming Lovely’project with the Cumbria Constabulary.

The volunteers wanted to put something back into their community and turned an overgrown area of land along the A65 near Kirkby Lonsdale into a green haven by planting more than 6,000 daffodil bulbs ahead of spring 2011.

Coun Bert Richardson, chairman of Cumbria County Council and the young Volunteer Award judging panel, said: “It was a pleasure to judge the award and to receive so many nominations which show the outstanding dedication and selflessness of our young residents.”

Cumbria Police Sgt Steve Christy added: “Each of the nominees has become a role model for their peers in terms of their volunteering.

“They are all looked after children and their projects have done a lot for their own self confidence and self worth and has helped them learn the value of working as a team.”

A teenager from Fellside School, Kendal, was also highly commended after working with town councillors to tidy up one of the town’s flowerbeds, creating a great spot for everyone to enjoy.