A PARTIALLY sighted teenager is due to be rewarded for her dogged determination in overcoming her disability during a celebrity-studded ceremony in a London hotel tomorrow.

Former Prime Minister John Major will present Keiley Radcliffe, 14, of Spring Hill, Accrington, with a Child of Achievement trophy in the ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane.

Keiley, registered partially-sighted with virtually no vision in her right eye and severely impaired vision in the other, was among 150 youngsters from across the country to get the award out of around 5,000 nominations.

The Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, pupil was nominated by teacher Stephanie Brewerton. Staff there said Keiley was 'doggedly determined' to be independent.

Awards organisers paid tribute to Keiley and said: "Despite the challenges her lack of sight imposes, Keiley plays an active and full role. She doesn't feel that anything she achieves is unusual or special. She copes totally independently with everything life and school throws at her."

Keiley learnt to touch type in just seven weeks so she could do her school work.

"I'm really proud of how she goes on and the fact she's been picked for this award," said Elaine. "Keiley can see to a degree if the light is all right and she manages to get around. If the light's bad she tends not to see things and trips over.

"The reason she was put forward was that she tended to struggle with her reading and writing because of her eyesight, but she really worked hard and she's doing really well now."

The annual award is part-funded by the generosity of holidaymakers who travel with East Lancashire-based holiday giant Airtours. Collections of spare foreign currency were taken on board Airtours flights.

The awards, which are in their 20th year, are presented to recognise children who by their everyday tasks help others or who have overcome disability or illness. As well as receiving a trophy, each award winner will get a certificate and a selection of 'goodies' to take home.

Mr Major is the awards' patron.