IT was a splendid night celebrating the contributions of Bridgwater’s younger generation at the first Mayor’s Youth Awards held at a packed Town Hall on Friday night.

The evening saw awards for inspiring youngsters who had gone above and beyond, as well some amazing adults who helped support them and were helping young people thrive in Bridgwater.

The evening was introduced by Malcolm Cattle as his final public engagement as Bridgwater Carnival president before passing on the chains to his successor.

The first award of the night went to Millie Selway, who was nominated by her sister Tamsin for the support she gives her mum who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

The second winner was Ellie Meek, who was diagnosed with Aspergers at the age of five.

She was presented the award for the way she has come out of her shell since performing with the Westcan Show Choir, with which she performed a solo on the night.

Keron Day, 15, was next up on stage to collect an award.

She was nominated by her mum by for putting her first aid skills to good use, helping an elderly lady who had broken her arm and helped as a carer, as well as working with St Johns Ambulance.

Uwyn Llewelyn was next up. It was his act of kindness to a homeless man that inspired his mum Kelly to set up The Gift of Giving -Homeless Shoebox Appeal.

Later in the evening Kelly herself was presented with the prestigious Bridgwater Cup for her contribution to the community.

Next on stage was April Stockham, age 10 who braved the shave for charity, and raised more than £1,000 for cancer research for her efforts.

Eva Miller was another presented with an award for braving the shave.

Libby Budden collected her award after being nominated by her mum Katrina.

Libby was recognised for her bravery and positive outlook while living with a rare genetic condition which causes to tumours to grow and means she is constantly in and out of hospital.

Young Finley Larcombe was also awarded for his outstanding bravery in the face of being diagnosed with leukaemia 13 weeks ago.

Samuel Hughes, who was bullied so badly at school he was once left with a bleed on the brain, accepted an award for overcoming the bullies, thriving in school and holding down a job.

Mayor Diogo Rodrigues was clearly moved by the story of award winner Fabian Golas, a teenager who was born as a girl but has come out in class asking to be referred to as a boy and embracing a male identity.

"I am really proud of Fabian. As a gay man I have faced some struggles for acceptance but it is nothing compared to what you must go through," Cllr Rodrigues said.

"It is impressive to see someone so young being true to themself."

Adult winners were Darren Hill, a tireless youth club worker, and Tobias Date, who gives countless hours supporting the local sea cadets.