DOGGED determination has led to a group of teenagers being rewarded for trying to smarten up a bus shelter repeatedly targeted by vandals.Members of the Shotley Massive decided to brighten up the village site where they meet friends, but have had to re-paint it at least nine times because of damage.

DOGGED determination has led to a group of teenagers being rewarded for trying to smarten up a bus shelter repeatedly targeted by vandals.

Members of the Shotley Massive decided to brighten up the village site where they meet friends, but have had to re-paint it at least nine times because of damage.

They will receive the accolade in the under-18 category of Babergh District Council's annual community achievement awards scheme, with the presentation ceremony being held at Stoke by Nayland golf club on February 20.

The 2002 special award will go to retired schoolteachers Mel and Roy Plumbly for their contribution to thousands of schoolchildren and to the wider community.

Last summer the Whatfield-based couple, left Hadleigh High School after 35 years of teaching, Roy from his post as head of mathematics and Mel from teaching PE, art, needlework and design technology (textiles).

The couple has also been involved in activities including organising ski and camping trips for students and an annual summer camp and fund raising.

Mr Plumbly, who won a lifetime achievement award for the Eastern Region last year, has served as chairman of Hadleigh Cricket Club as well as being a teacher governor, member of the school's PTA, head of adult education and treasurer of Whatfield Community Council.

Shotley Massive's 20-odd members will be represented by Paul Adams, 16, Adam Colwill, 16, Robert Everett, 16, and Dale Stanford, 15, who will collect the award at the event.

A year ago the youngsters decided to smarten up the bus shelter at the junction of Ipswich Road and Great Harlings, and as well as becoming the headquarters of the group it also provided a clean environment for people to sit in while waiting for public transport.

Their efforts have been repeatedly vandalised and member Paul Adams said they had re-painted it at least nine times.

The group has not allowed themselves to be disheartened by a liberal sprinkling of raw giblets and livers on Christmas Day, floods of engine oil, and most recently a combination of raw eggs, mud and the contents of cans of vegetable soup.

Neighbours have been so impressed at the teenagers efforts they routinely give them cans of left over paint to repair any damage.

BBC Radio Suffolk's Mark Murphy will preside over the ceremony, sponsored by Sudbury firm Prolog.

The other under-18 award winners are Christopher Rix, 16, from Alpheton, Emma Lough and Grant Fryatt, both 16, from Great Cornard, Gemma Hanratty, 17, from Great Cornard, and Myfanwy Turner, 17, from Royal Hospital School, Holbrook.

The full list of winners in the over-18 awards is: Jennifer Jones, from Copdock; Dr Mac Speake, from Bildeston; Rosey Nicholls, from Boxford; Ian Bryce, from Hintlesham; Teresa Easton, from Copdock and Washbrook; Dr Derek Walker, from Harkstead; Yvonne Catchpole, from Chelmondiston; Ernest and Rachel Eagle, from Holton St Mary; Major Mary Hartley, from Hadleigh; Belissa Graves, from East Bergholt; Ken Riley, from Layham; Barbara Riddleston, from Groton; Gloria Powell, from Hadleigh; Graham Gilbert, from Sudbury; Lynne Kilshaw, from Polstead; Merial Granville Smith, from Stoke by Nayland; Betty Baylis, from Nedging with Naughton; Rodney Lambert, from Shotley; Joy Wellings, from Whatfield; and Norah Orriss, from Kersey.