THE British Ironwork Centre has received a recognition award for its efforts in addressing youth violence and knife crime in the UK.

At an annual conference ran by the British Youth Council (BYC) in the Attenborough Arts Centre at Leicester University last month, the Ironworks was recognised for its Knife Angel sculpture which had been on a nationwide tour recently as part of the 'Save a Life, Surrender your Knife' campaign.

Clive Knowles, chairman for the centre was invited as a keynote speaker to present a talk on the impressive sculpture and its national journey during a time of crisis as violence plagues the country, with knife crime on the up.

And he also spoke about the requirement for every location hosting the Knife Angel to commit to undertaking 28 days of intensive anti-violence and anti-aggression educational programmes and workshops for their youth.

The BYC, which works to empower and support people aged 25 and under to have an informed voice within their communities, aims to give the youth the confidence to make a difference locally, nationally and internationally and to bring about change through the medium of art and sculpture.

A spokesperson for the Ironworks said: "We were completely delighted to receive such an incredible award from such an amazing group of young people and are looking forward to seeing what the BYC can help bring to the future of the Angel’s continuing journey."