A TEENAGER has been voted Tees Valley Young Achiever of the Year after overcoming illness.

Elliott Francis, 17, from Ingleby Barwick, received two awards at the Celebration of Learning Awards 2004 ceremony.

He fought off fierce competition to win the awards, as well as £2,000 prize money.

Elliott, who was diagnosed at the age of 11 with myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, received 43 per cent of votes for the title Tees Valley Young Achiever of the Year.

He had been a member of Stagecoach Theatre for six years when he was accepted into the National Youth Theatre in London, where Kate Winslet studied.

Elliott's acting work includes a lead role in the Kids Arc Summer Show in Stockton and an appearance in the children's television show Byker Grove. He has also worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Channel Four Productions.

Elliott said: "I am absolutely astounded that I won both the Arts Achiever and the Tees Valley Young Achiever awards. It really does show that determination can go a long way and I hope that this will exhibit to other young people that they can reach their goals no matter how unachievable they sometimes might seem."

The Celebration of Learning Awards are designed to recognise and reward the achievements of young people in the Tees Valley are.