The three were the shining lights of Leeds as Yorkshire honoured its young heroes at the 16th annual Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards, held at Leeds United's Conference and Exhibition centre.

Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd, who plays teen tearaway David Platt, was honoured in the Achievement in the Arts category, sponsored by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

He was just one of eight deserving winners at the awards, which celebrate the depth and breadth of achievement of Yorkshire's young people under 35.

Jack, 20, is a former pupil of Intake High School, Bramley, and grew up in Pudsey.

He joined the Coronation Street cast in 2000 and scooped the 2008 British Soap Award for Villain of the Year.

He is also patron of West Yorkshire Playhouse's First Floor Project, which helps young people on the fringes of formal education
to get involved in the arts.

Also on the list of Leeds winners was 18-year-old Jordan Denton, who was honoured in the Achievement in Education category.
The brave and independent young woman has recently achieved her dream of winning a place at the University of Leeds where she will study theology and religious studies.

She overcame difficult personal circumstances, bullying and family problems to gain an excellent set of A-level results. She has also mentored younger students and supports herself financially.

Completing the trio of Leeds winners was cyclist David Stone, who took two gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics, winning both the Road Time Trial and Road Race in great style.

David, 27, who has cerebral palsy, was born in Birmingham but has made Leeds his home town. He said: David said: "I'm delighted and it's lovely to get this recognition in Yorkshire. These are really good awards and Action for Children is a fantastic charity."

The dedicated sportsman trains for 20 hours a week and credits his tough training in the Yorkshire Dales as a big help in his success.
Other winners last night included golden boy of British rowing, Olympic gold medallist Andy Triggs Hodge, named overall Young Personality of the Year.

Andy, who lives in Hebden, North Yorkshire, and went to school in Harrogate, said: "Wharfedale has been my home since I can remember, and it is with great pride to win this Yorkshire Young Achievers Award.

"I hope this demonstrates what a small acorn can do that is hidden away in the Dales, when given the opportunity and support needed to achieve dreams. I am now the proud owner of an Olympic Gold medal and a Yorkshire Young Achievers Award which is fantastic.

The 2008 Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards welcomed a record audience and was expected to raise £600,000 for its chosen charity Action for Children (formerly NCH). The evening was hosted by ITV Yorkshire
Calendar presenters Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood.

Awards chairman Peter McCormick, senior partner of main sponsors McCormicks, said: "The judging of these awards gets tougher every year and this year was no exception, especially given the success of sportsmen and women from this region in both the Olympics and Paralympics."

Matthew Lewis, star of the Harry Potter films, was on hand to present the Youngster of the Year award to brave four-year old Keeley Hague.

Horsforth-boy Matthew, a former Young Achievers winner himself, said it was a "pretty special" event, adding: "Keeley is an amazing little girl."

* Action for Children Young Achiever: Victoria Harrison, 19,
* Unsung Hero: Adrian Sudbury.
* Achievement in Management and Enterprise: Adam Hildreth, 23.