A charity which provides invaluable support and advice to young people has received the personal thanks of Tendring District Council Chairman Peter Balbirnie for its efforts in the community.

Cllr Balbirnie was so impressed that Teen Talk (Harwich) was awarded the Essex County Fire and Rescue Shield at the High Sheriff's Awards at Braintree recently that he invited representatives to a reception in his parlour at Clacton Town Hall.

Teen Talk (Harwich) offers a free and confidential One Stop Shop support system for those aged 11-15.

Cllr Balbirnie, who attended the High Sheriff's Awards as a guest earlier this month, said the charity fully deserved its recognition.

"Teen Talk (Harwich) provides a fantastic service for Tendring's young people," he said.

"It deals with issues that a young person may have - and more importantly gives the correct information at the earliest possible time."

The charity's Project Co-ordinator Hayley Lovett and its consultant Marion Rowland went along to the parlour and took their award with them.

Hayley said Teen Talk (Harwich) had averted a recent financial crisis when the North East Essex Primary Care Trust and local donations provided them with much-needed funding of about £85,000.

However, she said, it was still around £80,000 short of the annual running costs of £166,500.

The charity is about to open up a new satellite centre in Clacton's Station Road on April 1.