Young councillors of the future have put the officer behind Stroud Youth District Council in line for a national award.

Steve Miles has been crowned the South West's Youth Worker of the Year at the British Youth Council's Youth Voice Star awards. Steve will now go forward to the British Youth Council national awards ceremony.

Steve, who manages SDC's youth service, was nominated for the award by District Youth Council reps Lily Haines (14) and Helen March (16).

The application was accompanied by a video, in which Steve's colleagues and members of the Youth Council past and present talk about how Steve has inspired them.

Lily said: "Steve coordinates our whole youth council, from the days we were a few young people sitting in a room to a youth voice model across our district. He truly deserves proper recognition for his tireless work."

After receiving the award at the ceremony in Exeter, Steve said: "This was a wonderful surprise. It's particularly special as the nomination came from young people with whom we work and was judged by youth work peers from the sector.

"For me, the work is always a team effort and this award reflects the very unique relationship that we have with young people, who work hard as volunteers to represent others and help make positive change in our communities."

Stroud District Youth Council represents the views of young people, giving them the opportunity to have a voice, discuss relevant issues, engage with decision makers and contribute to improving the lives of young people within communities.

Joanne Jordan, Stroud District Council's director of customer services, said: "This is a well deserved win for Steve and great recognition of the dedication he has made to the district's youth council over the past 18 years."