A CARING teenager whose parents are blind and partially sighted has received a national award.

Jonathan Hann, 13, from Barnard Castle, County Durham, was crowned a courageous citizen in the Diana Awards at a ceremony in London's Canary Wharf.

His mother, Janet, went blind at the age of 13, while his father, Paul, lost much of his sight after a car accident and bout of meningitis when he was just five.

Jonathan, a pupil at Staindrop Academy, helps with everything from reading and organising travel plans to looking after Mandy, Janet's guide dog.

“Not everyone has parents like mine and it's much different to everyone else's life, but I have grown up with this, so it is a normal thing for me and I still get a good lot of opportunities as well,” he said.

Jonathan, a Scout who also enjoys archery, running and is working towards a Duke of Edinburgh Award, was one of dozens of youngsters from Staindrop Academy recognised in all five categories of this year's Diana Awards.

“I didn't know I had been nominated for the award – I was not expecting it, but I am very pleased.

Janet and Paul, along with Jonathan's grandad Harry Parrish travelled to London to see the youngster collect his accolade.

“I was quite nervous – I wasn't sure what it was going to be like, but it was really good,” he said.

Proud mum Janet, a social worker, said: “He is very easy going, but if you need anything doing, you only have to ask him and he is there, willing to help.

“We have made sure he has as many opportunities as he can – he has never missed out.”

Paul, who works from home practising the Bowen Technique – a type of physiotherapy – added: “We don't have a car, but he is not phased by that and when we are out he has got to read all the bus times for us.”