A Harpenden teenager has revived Remembrance Day as a major event in his school’s calendar.

Joe McNiel, 18, invited a soldier to speak to his school. Because 1,500 students and staff at Roundwood Park could not fit in the hall, he put live video links into every classroom.

Now he has been nominated for the Mitsubishi Electric Young People of the Year awards or ‘YOPEYs’ – Oscars for young people who ‘give to others’.

The annual contest has more than £1,000 to be won by young positive role models who "give to others".

There will be at least two Herts Young People of the Year. A senior YOPEY, aged 17-25, winning £500, and a junior YOPEY, aged 10-16, winning £300.

Winners have to invest most of their winnings in their good cause but can keep £100 to treat themselves. There will also be several £100 runners-up prizes.

Joe, of Wells Close, said: “I felt a real sense of pride that I had managed to put on an event that had real meaning and emotion behind it. 

“But most of all I was extremely pleased that I had been able to convey the real meaning of Remembrance Day that really got to the core of the issue.”

Joe was nominated by his business and economics teacher teacher Vivienne Tattersall, who said: “This young man decided that November 11 should be an important day, not only for those with connections to the forces, but all young people should know and understand what the event stands for.”