A SCHOOLGIRL who refuses to allow a debilitating illness to get in the way of her life has been nominated for a national award.

Caroline Shorthouse, 16, of Bowfield Lane, Balderstone, will travel to South Africa this summer to play hockey for her school despite suffering from cystic fibrosis.

The hereditary disease affects mucus glands in the lungs, liver and pancreas causing frequent lung infections and poor growth.

The Stonyhurst College pupil will attend a glittering ceremony in London on May 28 where she will find out if she is a winner in the Cystic Fibrosis Trust's Breathing Life Awards.

The plucky teenager has been shortlisted in the adult "Fighting Spirit" award category which celebrates those who overcome their illness to make great achievements.

Caroline has received an art scholarship and an academic scholarship to Stonyhurst. She also plays the clarinet and is working towards her grade seven. And as a member of the Combined Cadets Force, she has participated in 24 hour walking expeditions and adventure training camp.

She has spoken at the Royal College of Nursing about living with CF and hopes to help more in raising awareness of Cystic Fibrosis. All of these achievements are done with a positive attitude in the face of CF, oral Crohn's disease, CF related arthritis and borderline diabetes.

She was nominated by proud mum Mary after nurses caring for Caroline told her about the awards.

Caroline, who plays clarinet and cymbals in her school orchestra, as well as singing in the choir, said she tried to ensure her illness affected her as little as possible.

She said: "I have to take a lot of tablets, go to physiotherably, use nebuilisers and go to the hospital a lot, but generally I don't feel that it affects my life.

"It can be difficult to keep up when I am breathless, but I really enjoy playing hockey and although it's harder for me to do, it helps my CF because it clears my lungs."

Caroline plays in the school second team and will visit five South African cities including Capetown and Durban over two weeks in July playing matches at each stop.

The award ceremony will be televised on the Sky Real Lives channel. Caroline has already been filmed for part of the show. She said: "It looks like I'll be on for probably about a minute. They came to film a short clip for the ceremony where I talk about myself. I was surprised to be shortlisted and I'm really excited about the ceremony."

Hosted by Carol Smiley and Dr David Bull, the awards will be attended by an array of celebrities.