A ROSSENDALE teenager has received a prestigious award for going the extra mile for those in need.

Michael Dilworth 19, was awarded the lifetime honour of Diana Award for challenging the stereotypes of young people by serving the poor in third world countries.

The Rossendale youngster, from Shawforth, who has served with the Haslingden-based international charity, Agapao, was commended by his leaders.

Louise Chicot, Director of Agapao, said: “Michael has been chosen for the award because of his commitment and work with Agapao International.

“He has worked tirelessly in support of the charity which works with comm-unities and children over-seas and he travelled to Uganda in 2006 to see the needs for himself.

“He also inspired the staff and students at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton, to share their skills in Uganda.

“We are exceptionally proud of this young man who is an incredible role model.”

The Diana Award was created in 1999 by the Diana Memorial Committee who felt that her belief in the power of young people to change the world should not be allowed to end with her death.

Award holders automatically become members of the Diana Alumni programme which provides them with the skills to develop to their full pot-ential.

Maggie Turner, chief executive of the Diana Award, paid tribute to Michael’s efforts.

She said: “This highly prestigious award gives young people of all abilities, circumstances and cultures, recognition at a time when their life choices are still to be made encouraging them to develop to their full potential.

“As individuals, award holders change lives but as a group of community entrepreneurs they have the power and ambition to build the cohesive society in which we would all like to live.”