Young Croydon Champion, Daniel De-Gale (pictured), holds aloft the trophy he was presented with at the We Think Croydon's Champion celebration gala last week.

Daniel, who received his award for his contribution to ethnic diversity, was the youngest of 10 champions, voted for by readers of the Guardian.

All were honoured at the evening event, held in the Great Hall at Royal Russell school, and attended by 250 local business leaders and representatives from voluntary organisations and community groups across the borough.

The reception, which finished with a fireworks display, celebrated the end of the 2002 We Think Croydon's Champion campaign, a joint partnership between the Croydon Guardian and Croydon Council who joined with leading local businesses to promote Croydon as a champion place to live, work and play.