A TEENAGER who faced a third lifesaving kidney operation four months ago has been honoured with another prestigious award.

Faizan Awan, 14, of Leamington Road, Blackburn, will receive a Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award next month after being nominated by school staff.

The awards were set up in April 2000 to commemorate the life of the mlate Princess and are given to youngsters aged between 11 and 18 in recognition of service to their school or community or for outstanding personal development in difficult situations.

A pupil at Beardwood High School, in Preston New Road, Blackburn, Faizan has undergone dialysis and 24 operations including two kidney transplants.

Last year, his body started to reject the kidney donated by his father last May.

Faizan, who is a Blackburn Rovers fan, has also been chosen as the face of a new poster campaign by the National Kidney Research Fund, which helps to raise awareness of kidney disease.

He was chosen as the charity's 'Young Hero' and travelled to Birmingham to help launch this year's awards with EastEnders "bad boy" Dan, alias Craig Fairbrass.

Faizan won £1,500 as last year's winner and donated his prize to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council as part of a £30,000 scheme to upgrade play facilities in the town's Corporation Park.

Nazmun Usman, the school community officer, said: "I was delighted to nominate Faizan for the award in recognition of his courage, determination and unselfishness."

Today his mum Parveen said: "I am really pleased for him. He has been through a lot over the last year."