Ladybank Youth Club picked up the Environment Award 2008 at the 'Youth Work Oscars' or Yoscars held in Kirkcaldy as part of National Youth Work Week.

Hosted by Fife Council's young people's services at Adam Smith College, which sponsored the event, the Yoscars celebrated local achievements made by youngsters in Fife throughout the past year.

Members of Ladybank Youth Club transformed an area of open space next to the club on the Beeches.

Vice-chairperson Janet Walker said the club had been working on the idea for several years, with funding for the £15,000 project coming from Fife Council, Fife Environmental Trust, Fife Landfill Trust and the group's own fund-raising efforts.

The youngsters helped draw up the plans and construction took place in the last 12 months, resulting in a large patio space, garden and games area.

Ladybank Youth Club has more than 75 members, who range in age from P1 pupils to teenagers, and runs four different groups each week.

"We've gone from strength to strength," said Mrs Walker, adding the club hoped to include trampolines and other outdoor equipment in the future.

The club had been nominated for the Yoscars by the local community education worker and everyone was excited about their win, especially given the quality of the other nominations.

Fife Provost Frances Melville, who opened the Yoscars ceremony, said: "The Yoscars is an excellent way to celebrate the hard work and commitment of Fife's youngsters who are really making a difference within their local communities."