A SUCCESSFUL campaign to get care leavers across Lancashire exemption from paying council tax has won a national award.

The prize has gone to the Lancashire County Council’s Children in Care Council, known as LINX.

It lobbied councils across the country gaining a concession for young care leavers up to the age of 25 to receive a grant to pay their council tax.

The LINX group, run by Barnardo’s on behalf of Lancashire County Council,won the Best Campaign award at the first national British Youth Council Youth Voice Star Awards in London.

Fifteen children and young people worked on the campaign, wrote to and met with MPs, The Children’s Society and Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England.

In May it was announced that all young people aged from 18 up to 25, leaving the care of the county council would receive this support wherever they choose to live in the country.

Lancashire County Council and the district councils are working to implement this grant and payments are being made successfully.

Cllr Susie Charles, county council young people’s boss, said: “Congratulations. It is a real achievement and fantastic recognition of very important work.

“The young people recognised an issue affecting care leavers, and decided to do something about it.”

She added: “Their actions have resulted in care leavers up to the age of 25 being exempt from paying council tax.”