DERBYSHIRE: Mum sad at plans to axe ceremony

Derbyshire County Council, which must save £157m over the next five years, has announced it will scrap the Derbyshire Young Achievers’ Awards.

Paige Holmes, 17, of Fritchley, suffered devastating brain injuries after a car crash in 2009 and was honoured for her bravery at the ceremony a year later.

Her mum, Shirley, said she was “devastated” to learn of the event’s demise.

She said: “There are a lot of brave young people in Derbyshire who deserve some recognition and they certainly got that at the ceremony.

“They should be cutting money elsewhere – not targeting this.”

Council leader Cllr Anne Western said: “We have to make big changes to the way we operate and how we use the money we have so that we can protect frontline services which support the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“Sadly, this means that it is not possible to support the Derbyshire Young Achievers’ Awards in the face of these devastating cuts.”