A group of youngsters from schools in Keighley, Bradford and Huddersfield set off on Monday for a four-night trip to the Lake District as part of the Personal Award For Excellence (PAWE) scheme.

The trip is an annual reward for chosen youngsters, who have displayed positive behaviour and good citizenship, originally co-ordinated by former Keighley Cougars captain Joe Grima and Keighley police youth services officer PC Lee Holmes.

The group gathered at the Cougars' ground with organisers in the pouring rain but were not disheartened, as PAWE celebrated its tenth anniversary.

The award remains a unique one and the recipients this week were proud to have been selected.

PC Glyn Butterworth, who now runs the scheme, commended the commitment of supporters such as the Youth Hostel Association (YHA), which sponsors the initiative and makes it possible for the trip to go ahead year after year.

Funds from the National Lottery, Keighley Lions, Haworth and Worth Valley Rotary Club, Bradford Council and local businesses means that the schools involved can encourage students to show commitment to their community with the incentive of the trip.

While in the Lake District, the young people have been taking part in a variety of activities, including water sports and rock climbing, designed to build confidence and independence. They will end the week with a disco on board a boat on Lake Windermere. They have been accompanied this year by 25 volunteers, including Jason Ramshaw, the Cougars community liaison officer.