TEENAGER Kathrine Spriggs received an award at the Houses of Parliament for demonstrating tremendous courage and resolve.

Kathrine, 17, of The Crescent, Princes Risborough, received the AOL Child of Resolution Award for continuing her education despite suffering from ulcerative colitis for most of her life.

The illness means Kathrine cannot easily put on weight which can leave her physically exhausted.

But despite her difficulties, Kathrine even sat three of her GCSE exams in Great Ormond Street Hospital after being admitted for an operation.

Determined Kathrine said: "I don't want it to hold me back."

Kathrine was one of only 11 people to win the award and went to the House of Commons to receive it on March 6.

David Lidington, MP for Aylesbury, and Kathrine's special needs teacher Pamela Green, of Princes Risborough School, Merton Road, were at the presentation.

Kathrine's mother, Sue, said: "She had a lovely day. She thoroughly enjoyed it."