Jade Byrne was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of four, but she has not let it stand in the way of her dancing and music.

Her commitment to music and dancing earned her a Positive Young People Award recently, in recognition of the way she has overcome her health difficulties to make a positive contribution to her community.

Jade has type one diabetes, which she controls by using regular insulin injections.

The 16-year-old has been dancing for almost 14 years, and has achieved the Royal Academy of Dance's grade eight ballet award, as well as the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing's pre-intermediate qualification in modern dance and tap.

Jade will soon start teaching at her dance school, running one class a week.

She has also taken her love of dancing into school, and is studying for a GCSE in dance at Hummersknott School and Languages College, in Darlington.

Jade also choreographs her own performances and has appeared at the Darlington Civic Theatre in performances on a number of occasions.

In addition to her dancing, Jade has also played the saxophone for six years, and has reached grade five level of competence.

She also sings with her school choir, has regular singing lessons, and has performed in several school concerts.

In the forthcoming school spring concert, Jade is preparing to sing with the choir and play her saxophone.

She will also appear in Showtime, which is being staged at Darlington Civic Theatre, next Saturday.

With regards to her future plans, Jade said: "I'm not sure what I want to do, maybe something to do with performing arts."