FRANCES Jones joined Herefordshire College of Art and Design with nothing to draw on. With no formal education Frances could neither read nor write.

She was dyslexic and she was a traveller - with all the discrimination that can bring.

Frances was determined to do herself justice and in doing so she seeks justice for others.

Frances has thrived in the college environment, her transformation, and determination, now recognised with a national Anne Frank Award for moral courage.

Frances was at The Hilton, Park Lane, London on Tuesday as one of four UK wide winners in the Youth category.

Her story has earned a similar accolade at county level. This time she was saluted with a statuette, books and an escorted visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.

The judges on the national panel included Sir Ben Kingsley, Michael Buerk, Doreen Lawrence OBE, Mary Marsh and June Sarpong.

At aged 18, Frances from Hereford, has never thought of herself as disadvantaged. She says she owes everything she knows of life's lessons to her mother.

When the time came to apply those lessons mum's teaching was not found wanting.

Now in her second year at college, Frances is a student governor, sits on college and county panels and is active over the environment and equal opportunities.

Last year she won the Harold Beaver Award, one of the most prestigious the college can offer, for her outstanding contribution to campus life.

To Frances, the Anne Frank Award is 'brilliant'. She is expects to leave college next summer with a national diploma, equivalent to three A Levels and will go on to sit GCSE English.

Paying tribute to Frances, Neville Turner, Herefordshire's race equality officer, said: "Frances' award is well deserved and excellent news for Herefordshire and our local version of the Moral Courage Awards, we couldn't have hoped for a better start."