WIRRAL’S young heroes have been honoured by more than 700 guests at a nationally acclaimed awards ceremony in New Brighton.

Twenty-four young people and three adults were recognised across 10 categories for their inspirational achievements at the third annual Wirral Youth Heroes Awards on Friday.

The event, organised by Wirral Youth for Christ, was born out of the 2011 summer riots in an effort to celebrate the positive impact that young people have upon society.

Friday’s event saw hundreds of guests including the High Sherriff of Merseyside and Councillor Steve Foulkes, mayor of Wirral, fill the Floral Pavilion.

Max Howe, a 13-year-old student at St Anslem’s College, was just one of those to be recognised and was named overall Youth Hero of 2014.

He also won the Courage and Bravery award for his amazing resilience and compassion towards others after the death of his m other earlier this year.

“I’m completely shocked that I won one award let alone two, I’m totally speechless,” said Max.

“Everyone who was nominated deserved to win.”

The awards were hosted by local actress Suzanne Collins, best known for her role in Brookside as Nikki Shadwick.

She said it was a “privilege” to be part of the event.

Throughout the night guests heard the stories of the nominees and were entertained by more than 100 young people across several different acts.

Mayor Cllr Steve Foulkes said: “I leave tonight feeling 10 feet tall, proud of our peninsula’s young people, its youth workers and parents.”

Wirral West MP Esther McVey also attended the awards ceremony and said: “It's clear to me that Wirral really does have tremendous talent and that the future of our wonderful borough is safe in the hands of these awe inspiring youths."

Martin Dickson, director of Wirral YFC and founder of the Youth Heroes Awards, added: “At Youth Heroes we refuse to join the apparent band-wagon of negativity towards ‘youth’, instead celebrating and affirming the good in our young people.

“We believe that, like acorns, every young person has the potential to become an oak tree, something magnificent if only we care and nurture them in the best way we know how.

“I would like to thank everyone who made Friday possible, all the local businesses for sponsoring the awards, our host, everyone behind the scenes but most of all, the young people for inspiring hope in their generation.”