A DETERMINED 16-year-old girl from Warminster has won an award for her achievements over the last year.

Ella McCance won the Peter Gough award in recognition of her success in the face of adversity.

Despite having Downs Syndrome, Ella passed nine GCSEs and has also received the Baden Powell award, the highest honour Guides can get.

Her dad David said: "I'm thrilled to bits. This year was an extra special year for her. She is now doing a skill works course at Wiltshire College Trowbridge and is studying for her driving theory test.

"She has a lot of support from her helpers and we have always tried to push her. She has a mind of her own and is a very determined girl."

Ella has just become a Ranger in the Guides and is working towards her Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.

Nine-year-old Lucy Bannister from Bratton was also nominated. She has a rare form of cancer, which has left her with severe hearing difficulties.

Few people have survived neuroblastoma but Lucy has been in remission for the last seven years.

Although she did not win the award her mum, Karen, is proud of her achievements.

She said: "She was nominated by her headteacher because of the way she has got on with her life. She joins in with many after school activities and took part in a drama workshop for talented and gifted children.

"She is trying to get on with a normal life when a normal life is that much harder. I'm thrilled that all her efforts have been recognised."

The other nominees were Kimberley Office, Alison Whittaker, Tom Smith and Sarah Wilkinson.

The name of Peter Gough, a former mayor of Warminster, lives on through the award created by family and friends in 1992 to recognise his contribution to the community.

Despite suffering from cerebral palsy, Mr Gough was involved with many groups in the town and was the vice-president of Somerset Cricket Club.

All his life he struggled to overcome his disability, and was the first scout with such a handicap to become a Queen's Scout.

Cllr Stephen Pearson, who organised the awards ceremony last Sunday, said: "He achieved more in so many ways by his involvement and enthusiasm than many able-bodied people could attempt in a lifetime."

The annual ceremony makes trophy and cash awards to a disabled person from the Warminster area who is under the age of 19.