TWO finalists who were up for the Young Achiever of the Year award received joint prizes after the judges struggled to decide their top winner.

Asha Eva Dodsworth, of Walney, and BMX racing champion Emie Seward, shared the accolade at the awards ceremony.

Asha, aged 13, has spent the past year highlighting the issues children who live in poverty face by addressing MPs to discuss and raise awareness.

“It’s really shocking ,” she said

“I’m overwhelmed because I never thought I would actually win.”

Emie, nine, was crowned European champion and came third in the world championships this year.

“I wasn’t expecting to win at all,” she said.

“I’m really happy, it feels great to win.”

The Special Recognition award, an accolade that pays tribute to someone who does the unexpected and makes a difference to someone’s life, was given out to someone who has become knowing for touching the lives of tens of thousands of people throughout the county.

Margaret Burrow, honorary chief of the Barrow District and Disability Association, received the surprise of being awarded that prestigious accolade.

“It was very humbling when everyone did a standing ovation for me,” she said.

Mrs Burrow has spent more than 30 years helping disabled people and their carers across the area.

“I don’t do this for the awards,” she continued.

“I do it because I love the people of Barrow.

“There’s a lot of people in this town who need support so I’m not going to retire anytime soon."

Teacher James Maher was also very pleased to have been awarded School Worker of the Year.

Described as a 'motivator of young people,' the year five teacher at Sir John Barrow School in Ulverston said: “I suppose the message of it is that everything I do is for the school and I love it.

“Any recognition you get is an added bonus and this award means a lot to me and my family”.

In his own time he has organised walks with the children’s families and assisted pupils on gala days.

This summer Mr Maher arranged for 30 pupils to attend The Cricket World Cup.