TYLDESLEY teenager Maria Howard has spent her life dedicated to others.

And it led to her winning a £100 runner-up prize in a young citizen of the year ceremony - which she gave away to the Tyldesley branch of St John's Ambulance Brigade!

Maria's success came in the final of the Greater Manchester Police 'Young Citizen of the Year' awards.

It was the culmination of a hectic year for Maria, 16, of Stour Road, who is training for her GNVQ in Health and Social Care.

She was nominated for the award after working 1,000 hours for St John's Ambulance Brigade as well as helping look after her grandfather Fred Smith, 90.

Maria, a former pupil of Fred Longworth High School, handed over her prize money to Leah Beswick, Divisional Superintendent of Tyldesley St John's Ambulance Brigade, at a special meeting organised at Astley Senior Citizens Club, though she did receive a personal trophy for herself.

Maria said: "I was very happy to be able to get a £100 prize which has gone to St John's and will be put to good use. I am delighted at being chosen to take part in the finals."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.