A PSYCHOLOGY student from as won a volunteering award from the charity, Diabetes UK.

Vanessa Haydock, 21, from Chorley, won the Young People’s Outstanding Contribution Award at the charity’s regional Inspire Awards.

The award is given to a person under 30 who have used creative and innovative ways to contribute to the charity.

Vanessa was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was just five and she now provides regular online group sessions for people with diabetes, hosting a weekly group therapy chat on the Google+ Hangout platform, where she encourages people with diabetes to offer each other advice and support.

She also expresses her views and experiences of diabetes on the charity website and has taken part in media interviews.