A 16-YEAR-OLD who has raised £12,000 for charity has been given a regional award by a banking firm.

George Petty, from Brentwood, was named the winner of the Halifax Giving Extra Awards for his fundraising efforts.

Over the last four years, George has organised events for Great Ormond Street Hospital, brain injury charity Headway and local sports clubs.

George said: "I’m quite speechless as I didn’t expect to win because there are so many great people in Essex."