A visually-impaired teenager who was put into care aged just four has been honoured at a ceremony in London.

Jason Wakefield was at Westminster yesterday for the Celebration of Young People in Care which celebrates high-achieving young people.

The star-studded ceremony, now in its second year, was organised by Lancaster Labour MP and foster caring campaigner Hilton Dawson to recognise the talents and achievements of young people in care.

Jason, 17, of Baildon, received his award in recognition of the accolades and achievements he has gained in the past few years.

Thanks to the help of foster carers Ray and Anne Wakefield, Jason has battled his problems against the odds to achieve much success. A pupil at Hanson School, Jason gained ten GCSEs last summer, including one A and five Bs.

He is now studying for A-levels in ICT, Biology and General Studies and will begin applying for universities in the next few months where he hopes to study computing before training as an ICT teacher.

Outside of his studies Jason is also an elected member of the Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament and has a place on the scrutiny committee.

Jason said: "I don't think I have really come to terms with it. Perhaps when I am actually presented with the award itself it might start to sink in.

"Coming down to London, and to Westminster is a really big honour and there are some big names attending so it should be really memorable. I'll have been fostered for 13 years by Ray and Anne. In July I took their name and consider them to be my mum and dad."

Joining Jason and his foster mother Anne at the ceremony was author Paulo Hewitt and former world middleweight boxing champion Chris Eubank.

Eubank himself was placed in care at the age of 16. He went on to defend the world title 19 times, the most in British boxing history.

Jason's foster dad Ray said: "He's done really well. He is a very focused and driven young man.

"He's an absolute wizard with computers and I think that's what he will end up doing. We're very proud of him."