A LEIGH teenager has been nominated for the finals of this year's Greater Manchester Police 'Young Citizen of the Year' award.

Darren Speers, 14, of Boston Grove, will join nine other finalists from throughout the Greater Manchester area at a special presentation evening in Manchester on November 9.

If he wins, Darren (pictured) could win a £1,5000 cheque from Warner Lambert Confectionery to donate to a charity of his choice, a £1,500 holiday voucher from Sunset Holidays and a VIP day out.

Plus all the finalists receive a £100 cheque to donate to a charity or community project of their choice and are given a day out at a theme park or Granada TV studios.

Darren, a pupil of Rose Bridge High School in Ince, is much in demand as an entertainer at children's parties and old folks homes, where he performs magic tricks and balloon modelling, and is also keen to offer his services for any charity fund raising event.

His parents are both disabled and he spends much of his time looking after them and his 83 years old grandma, and has a keen interest in cooking.

With his family Darren has also walked away with numerous prizes at several of the country's holiday camps for winning competitions.

Darren's mum Ann commented: "I think it is absolutely fantastic that Darren has made it to the final. I nominated him myself after hearing it on GMR Talk that nominations were invited for a young person who had done something to deserve it."

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