DARWEN Rangers' young footballers have received recognition for their work at the Lancashire Sports Awards.

The event was held was held at Ewood Park on October 5 and aimed to reward people who are making a difference and putting their area on the map.

The club, which has 16 teams competing in the Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and District League, the LFA Girls' League and the North Valley League, was nominated as a result of winning the Blackburn and Darwen award last year.

Despite not winning the major award of the evening, which was won by a basketball team from Preston, they received a framed certificate, presented on stage before a packed audience.

General manager Bill Stemp attended on behalf of Darwen Rangers and collected the award. He said: "It brought home to me how far our club has progressed over the years and what a tremendous reputation we have.

"I lost count of the number of people I talked to from different sports and nearly all of them had heard of Darwen Rangers.

"I am sure that you all would have felt as proud of our club as I was and this is credit to the efforts of all concerned. Well done to everyone."