Two Watford schoolgirls who spearheaded a campaign to raise money for Peace Hospice Care have been nominated for a competition that heralds the achievements of young people across Hertfordshire.

Amy Patel and Rianna Gohil organised events held by Watford Grammar School for Girls Year 10, leading 180 girls in the year to raise £8,202 for the charity.

Now they have been entered into Smith-Milne Young People of the Year, or YOPEY, in the running for cash prizes for themselves and for good causes.

This year's Smith Milne YOPEY has £2,000 to give away ­a top prize of £800, with £400 for the winner and the same amount for a good cause of their choice.

There is a prize of £400 for the second place, £200 for the third and top junior, all similarly shared.

Amy and Rianna volunteered at the hospice's Octoberfest family fun event, taken part in a craft fair at the hospice and volunteered at coffee mornings.

The pair have been part of bag-packing teams at local supermarkets, helped with a charity fundraiser called the Rainbow Run and used organised a highly successful quiz evening at the school which alone raised £1,000.

With other pupils, Amy and Rianna set up a small company called Imprint and in their own time have designed, made and sold bags in aid of the hospice.

Amy, 15, of Solesbridge Lane, Chorleywood, said: "I have really enjoyed it. I have learned a lot, particularly organising events such as the quiz night with 70 people there.

"We have learned to work as a team, particularly with some older people who regularly volunteer."

Rianna, 14, said: "It was good fun and we were happy with the total raised from that.

"We have done things we would never have thought about doing, but the fact that this was a very good cause spurred us on."

As well as Smith-Milne & Co, a Rickmansworth accountancy firm, this year¹s YOPEY is also sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric of Hatfield, two housing associations, B3Living of Broxbourne and North Hertfordshire Homes, Orange Amplification of Borehamwood, McNicholas of Elstree, Renault of Rickmansworth, Vinci of Watford and Runwood Homes for the elderly. The awards ceremony will be at a prestigious Hertfordshire venue in the autumn.

To nominate someone for Young Person of the Year logon to yopey.org or write, enclosing a stamped-addressed-envelope, to YOPEY, Woodfarm Cottage, Bury Road, Stradishall, Newmarket CB8 8YN for a paper entry form. Entries close July 31.