A WINCHESTER teenager has scooped a national award after battling against the odds of her rare condition.

Nicola Prince, 19, suffers from a condition called kyphoscoliosis – a curvature of the spine – and feared it would prohibit her from completing her performing arts course.

As her motivation dwindled due to anxiety she soon developed a debilitating obsessive compulsive disorder.

She said: “It got so bad, it stopped me from having a normal life and doing things like eating out with friends or going for a drink.”

Miss Prince was referred to Fairbridge – a Prince’s Trust programme that helps disadvantaged people to gain confidence and skills.

“My OCD is a lot milder now since Fairbridge,” she said. “The first time we all ate out together I was so worried, I cried. I chatted to a Prince’s Trust staff member, and he helped. I got better and better with managing it.”

By the end of the programme, Nicola had written and delivered a presentation to the staff about her spinal condition and felt positive about building a career teaching children to dance.

She said: “I’m studying for my Level 3 in performing arts now, which includes dance and acting. I wouldn’t have the confidence to do the acting if it wasn’t for everything we did at Fairbridge.”

Nicola proved herself as one of the most outgoing members of the group who would go out of her way to support others.

Now the former Henry Beaufort School student is now celebrating after not only finishing her course but having been presented with a Prince’s Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success Awards.

Now in their 11th year, the awards recognise the achievements of disadvantaged young people who have succeeded against the odds and had a positive impact on their local community.

Once Nicola has completed her Level 3, she plans to study dance at university.