Lauren Wright, of Beatrice Road, was awarded the Junior Young Person of the Year at this year's Cambs Constabulary and Spicers Young People of the Year awards.

Fourteen-year-old Lauren, who was awarded £250, said: "Before my mum died, I made her a promise to reform. I am so glad that I have managed to keep that promise. I want to make everyone proud of me as before I had no future ahead of me and I was just heading down a deep hole.

"Now I have a future ahead of me and I have ambitions for myself, which is to either work with children and own a nursery or care for sick and disabled people."

Lauren went off the rails and got kicked out of school after years of caring for her chronically-ill mum, Julie. After Julie's death in November, Lauren turned herself around and now helps fellow students at Fenland Junction in March where she attends.

Other Fenland finalists were Philip Taylor, of Benwick, who set up a fantasy games club and helps to run the local scout and beaver troops; Fenzone Youth Council who organised events for young and old to close the generation gap in March; teenage parents Sam Cliffe and Martin Hodson, of Wisbech, who are determined to continue helping improve care services; Daniel Rushton, of Christchurch, who campaigned to build a skatepark in the village.

They all received £100 surprise prizes.