A 13-YEAR-OLD girl took pride of place at a school's annual awards ceremony.

Students from St Aidan's Church of England Academy, in Darlington, were honoured at their annual awards ceremony for academic achievements and other aspects of school life.

A total of 120 students received awards at the ceremony, which took place at the academy in Hundens Lane.

Courtney England won the Crossland Award for overcoming adversity, one of the event's biggest awards, for her battle against cystic fibrosis.

Courtney's parents, Kerry and Barry, said: "It was a real shock when she won the award. She had her heart set on a maths award and when that passed by she was quite upset.

"Then they called her name for the overcoming adversity award and it was a real surprise.

"We are very proud of Courtney. She needs to have quite a bit of time off school because of her condition, but she always tries to get in even if she is unwell. She is determined to go to her lessons. She particularly likes art and photography."

Headteacher Alison Appleyard said: "The awards evening is always an inspiring occasion and Courtney's award underlines the qualities we look for in students.

"Amajor part of what we do is telling the students that they can achieve great things in life.We seek to inspire them and provide them with the confidence they will need as they move on to further education or into employment.

The awards ceremony is an excellent way of underlining that point."