TEENAGER Andrew McNulty received the title of Young Person of the Year - an award sponsored by Weymouth College.

He was up against tough competition from three other nominees - Roan Doyle of Dorchester and Weymouth's Ryan Hope and Stacey Follan but Andrew was chosen for overcoming great personal difficulties and showing courage while still finding time to help others.

The 13-year-old of Courtlands Road, Portland supports his poorly mum by taking his six-year-old sister Derry to swimming lessons, entertaining his two younger brothers, cooking and cleaning the house - all despite awaiting a hip operation himself.

Announcing the winner Ms Greenwood added: "Recently diagnosed with dyslexia, Andrew's won an award at his school for improvement and he's being considered for being put forward to do engineering at Weymouth College in year 10."

Andrew said: "I just won for being helpful towards my mum. She's just had an operation which was quite severe."

Mum Moira said: "He helps with dinner, makes packed lunches for the younger children, he takes Derry from Portland to Weymouth for her swimming lessons, he does the shopping for me, hangs the washing out on the line.

"He does everything that I've not been able to do just lately and I'm so proud of him."