SHOCK news: the youth of today are not the feckless, self-centred bunch of popular legend.

Instead, they are thoughtful, dedicated people who regularly put the needs of others first.

That was the heartening message to come from the Millennium Volunteers awards. More than 600 16 to 24 year olds were honoured for investing their free time into their community.

The range of work is astonishing. These volunteers have created children's gardens, provided transport for disabled people, even driven the National Railway Museum road train.

With every contribution, they enrich lives - including, we hope, their own.

Updated: 10:23 Tuesday, March 18, 2003