A TEENAGE volunteer from the region has been nominated for a national award.

Stacey Lee, 18, of Willington, County Durham, has been chosen as a finalist in the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour.

She will be judged against ten other volunteers with the chance of winning £2,500 for her favourite charity.

Stacey was nominated for the honour by Lisa McGrath, her tutor at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington.

Among the community groups helped by Stacey are Willington Drama Group. Willington Football Club and Willington's carnival committee.

She was also one of the principal founders of the Durham Youth Call Centre - a phoneline set up to assist young people needing help, support and advice.

As well as helping to set up the line, Stacey mans the phones two night a week and undertook training with the Samaritans to help her deal with the calls.

Ms McGrath said: "Stacey was a worthy candidate for this award. She manages to combine a challenging A- level course at the college with her exceptional voluntary work.

"She is a committed, compassionate individual, who deserves recognition for her service to her local community."

Stacey will also be presented with a cheque for £500 for her nominated charity at the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle today as well as £509 of vouchers for herself.

She said: "I am very pleased and quite shocked. I don't do it for praise and thanks - I do it because I enjoy it.

"Nevertheless, it's nice to be recognised."