A MAN thrown out of school at 13 because he had behavioural problems and who later overcame drug addiction has won the Prince's Trust Business of the Year award.

Philip Wrathall and his girlfriend Barbara Rafter won the top prize as the charity celebrated young achievers who have overcome adversity to succeed in the business world.

The pair set up IT company Qualcom in Sunderland with the support of the Prince's Trust and beat 11 regional finalists in the awards, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

The £4,000 prize money could not have come at a better time for the couple, as they due to get married in August.

Twelve regional winners were at St James's Palace to be congratulated by the Prince of Wales.

Mr Wrathall, 24, was put in a unit for excluded children because of violent outbursts in the classroom. He left school with no qualifications. At 18 he was homeless and had drug problems.

Miss Rafter, 25, also gave up further education due to personal problems.

With the help of a £1,000 grant and £5,000 loan from the trust, the pair set up their business two-and-a-half years ago.

They provide IT solutions to businesses and schools and support their local community, working with children who are at risk of being excluded from school.