A 16-YEAR-OLD Bolton boy who dedicates his spare time to helping children with educational and behavioural problems has won a prestigious honour.

Gareth Davies first visited the High Rid Reservoir outdoor pursuits centre in Fall Birch Road, Lostock, to try power-boating as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award.

When he was asked if he would help out, the former Hayward School pupil took to it like a duck to water and amazed staff with his tireless work often alongside difficult kids.

Among those visiting the centre are children excluded from mainstream schools, young offenders and even youths recovering from drug problems as well as 'ordinary' users. Judges in the Nationwide-sponsored Award for Voluntary Endeavour were so impressed that Gareth was named one of only two winners in the under-18s category of the prize out of 1,300 entrants.

Dorothy Weir, Bolton's senior youth worker for outdoor education, is full of praise for Gareth whom she nominated.

She said: "We think he's fabulous. I can't tell you how wonderful he is and we are thrilled to bits he has won this award. He deserves it more than anybody I know.

"He says the work is easy but it's not. The bulk of people we work with are 14 to 15-year-olds with educational and behavioural difficulties.

"Gareth has got a lovely manner with young people and he has worked extremely hard on every single free day for the last two years without any financial reward."

Gareth, whose work at the centre includes supervising canoeing, sailing and climbing, admits he was surprised to win the award.

He said: "I just got a letter in school saying I had been nominated. I was shocked. I didn't think I would get this far but it's great."

The High Rid Centre is now hoping to find funding to employ Gareth full time.

Gareth collected his prize -- a plaque and £50 worth of vouchers -- at a ceremony in a Chester Hotel on Thursday night. He will now wait to see whether he goes through to the national finals at the House of Commons in October. Each finalist collects £250, a trophy and £500 to the charity of their choice.