FOUR youngsters from Ryedale have been given an award with a difference - a Positive-Social Behaviour Order, or PoSBO.

They won the accolade from the Yorkshire Housing Group for their efforts in making their local communities a better place in which to live.

Phillip Hepple, 12, from Welburn, received a PoSBO - dubbed a positive version of an ASBO - for his voluntary work with local vets. Phillip recently received a certificate from Ryedale District Council for his ideas on how to engage children to do more.

Mark Cook and Natasha Hayes, both 19, from Terrington, have been awarded their PoSBOs for the support they provide to their elderly neighbours, including cutting the grass and running errands.

Meanwhile, Tom Sharpe, 11, from Duggleby, near Malton, has received his PoSBO in recognition of his "enthusiasm and efforts to improve his local area".

In total, seven PoSBOs have been "served" to youngsters across Yorkshire.

Bill Payne, chief executive of Yorkshire Housing Group, said: "We're sick and tired of young people being used as a political football. The vast majority of teenagers are excellent role-models in our communities, so we have decided to retaliate against the trouble-maker stereotype by serving PoSBOs for making peoples' lives brighter and happier." Each PoSBO winner received £22, with an additional £22 per winner donated to the Samaritans.