Anti-knife campaign, Lives Not Knives, has been recognised for its dedication to reducing knife crime after winning a Phillip Lawrence award.

Set up in memory of head teacher Philip Lawrence, who was murdered outside his school in December 1995, the awards recognise the difference young people make in their communities.

The Lives Not Knives project was founded by teenager Eliza Rebeiro in 2007.

Miss Rebeiro decided to set up the project after some of her close friends were injured and killed through knife crime.

The group holds road shows around Croydon and the team offer young people advice about turning their lives around.

Lives Not Knives has gone on to gain the support of the Metropolitan Police, Safer Croydon Partnership, the Youth Offending Teams and local community groups interested in community safety.

Miss Rebeiro said: “It was a really good night and really nice to be recognised for all the hard work the team have put into Lives Not Knives.

“We spoke to a couple of the other groups about creating Lives Not Knives groups around the country so we can take this everywhere and get an idea of youth crime trends.

“It was just nice to meet people who have share the same positive vibe.”

The ceremony, hosted by the Sir Trevor McDonald, was also attended by Tim Loughton, Minister for Children and Families, Will Young and Joyce Moseley.

Frances Lawrence, widow of Philip Lawrence and founder of the awards, said: “Philip believed in the infinite capacity of the human spirit to confront difficulties and to transform failure into success.

“The Philip Lawrence Awards echo his belief by enabling young people to share their vision of society and to showcase their solutions to the challenges we all face.

"The award winners are an inspiration and their projects prove to be of lasting benefit to their communities."