Laura-Marie lives in North Road, Bexhill, and studies at Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne.

She volunteers at Activenture in Surrey during her holidays, for which she won the Activenture Female Helper of the Year 2009.

She said: "I work with people with disabilities and special needs. I've done this for the last five years, and have since become a leader. We do activities such as indoor archery, the zip wire, discos and trips to Brighton.

"I'm really pleased to have won an award. It was a surprise when it came through the post. I didn't expect it and it made me feel really good.

"Volunteering has given me an advantage on my course in travel and tourism such as dealing with different types of people.

"I managed to do some work experience at Centre Parcs - which is really difficult to get. It helped that I knew someone at Activenture who put me in touch with them. I had an amazing time there.

"Eventually I would like to go onto university to do event management or adventure tourism."

John Lovell, course leader, BTEC travel andt ourism said: "Laura-Marie has combined enthusiasm and initiative, both on and off the course, to leave herself ideally placed for either a career or higher education course in her chosen specialism."