TWO annual awards have been created to encourage members of the West Somerset Railway's youth section, Trackers.

And the first winners of the James Willis Award and the Trackers Cup are Harry Howe and Josh O'Connor.

The section gives 13 to 18-year-olds an opportunity to work as a volunteer in various areas of the WSR's activities, being trained and supervised by staff and volunteers.

For the new awards, Trackers are judged by their department heads to have made a major contribution to the work of the WSR.

Harry is a member of the station staff at Bishops Lydeard and his award is in memory of the late James Willis, a highly valued member of the Trackers.

Josh has worked in the catering department on the buffet cars of the trains and in the Turntable Café at Minehead station.

The awards were presented by WSR chairman Humphrey Davie and chairman-elect John Irven on November 3, the last day of the main operating season and before the start of the various Christmas trains.

James' parents were at the inaugural presentation and Mr Davies paid tribute to the "popular and valued young volunteer whose contribution to the ongoing story of the West Somerset Railway was sadly cut short in 2009".

Pictured from the left are Trackers co-ordinators Janet Howard and Samantha Minter, Josh O'Connor, Harry Howe and Mr and Mrs Willis.