A BRAVE teenager has beaten all the odds and received the prestigious Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to her school.

Fifteen-year-old Vicky Burns had her left leg amputated about four years ago - but that has not stopped her taking part in numerous activities at Horsforth School, including playing football.

Vicky, of Low Lane, Horsforth, played centre forward for the girl's football team at school until recently, when she gave up to concentrate on her forthcoming GCSE exams. She had scored several goals.

Now Vicky, who has only three fingers on one of her hands, has dedicated the national award, which recognises her commitment and work and courage when faced with physical disability, to the other disabled pupils at the school.

Vicky wants to work on the ground staff at Leeds-Bradford Airport and said: "I don't think that I've done anything special, I just go ahead and get on with life. I don't let my disabilities stop me and I suppose that it shows that people with disabilities can go on to have normal lives and achieve.

"I do as much as I can, and if people can draw courage from that, then fine.

"The school has been a lot of help to me. After I had the operation they helped me to rearrange my lessons and to get around the school at first."

Vicky, an active member of the Wednesday lunchtime youth club, said that she was born without a tibia bone in her left leg, and despite efforts boost her leg, it had to be amputated.

Form tutor Brian Wilson, who nominated her, said the award was for every disabled pupil in the school.

"She does everything and doesn't let her disabilities stop her," said Mr Wilson. "For instance, I had no idea that she had a deformity of her hand and you would never know that she only has one leg.

"Vicky also represents the whole school in many ways. We have many disabled pupils here and she is really picking up this award on behalf of all those pupils, too.

"She never uses her disability as an excuse to duck out of things like PE. She has inspired me."

Vicky received the award from head teacher Steve Jex in Monday morning's assembly.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award was launched nationally in April 2000 to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements made by secondary school students to their schools and communities.

Last year Horsforth School pupil Vicky Hart won the award for her contributions to the school community.