NINETEEN youngsters have received Queen’s Golden Jubilee Awards and cheques of up to �250 to help them achieve their goals.

Most of the winners, aged between 11 and 20, have been recognised for sporting successes, while two have excelled as part of the Alter Ego dance company.

They will each receive the funding for coaching, equipment and to pay for travelling to competitions.

Welwyn Hatfield mayor Howard Morgan, who presented the awards, said: “There’s such talent in our borough, across a wide range of activities.

“These youngsters achieve some truly outstanding feats with such enthusiasm and dedication to their futures.

“They are an inspiration and I look forward to seeing them achieve even more in the future.”

Athlete Hannah Lloyd, 17, from Park Meadow, Old Hatfield, was awarded her prize along with 15-year-old sister Ella.

Hannah told the WHT she would use the money to pay to enter competitions and to travel to them too.

She said: “The English Schools’ competition is often in Sheffield, and it can be quite hard if we don’t have funding.”

Hannah added: “Ella didn’t think she’d be good enough to get an award, so this has given her confidence too.

“It was really special with everyone there at the ceremony, you get a real sense of community and a sense of how talented the area is.”

Colin Beckles, who dances for WGC-based Alter Ego, said he and younger brother Mark were using their cheques to pay for a year’s dance lessons.

*The winners are pictured in the gallery, above right.