A former Bermuda resident, Fauzia Kasajja, has been named Young Person of the year by the London borough of Wandsworth, reported the Wandsworth Guardian this week.

Now 17, Ms Kasajja arrived in the United Kingdom from Bermuda in 1992 with her mother who died shortly after, the paper reported. By (age) 16, she had been forced to fend for herself.

"Despite her circumstances, Fauzia placed great importance on her education, and recorded an excellent attendance record at school," the paper said.

"She has now been elected as a prefect and chosen as a Year Seven mentor."

Wandsworth doles out its Young Person of the Year Award at a special annual ceremony. Eighteen other young people were recognised for acts of courage and selflessness, or the ability to overcome difficult personal circumstances.

Chairman of the Awards committee, councillor Angela Graham, was quoted as saying that Fauzia's award was in recognition of her courage in overcoming "incredibly difficult personal circumstances, to become an even stronger person."

Wansworth mayor Leslie McDonnell handed her a trophy and a cheque for ?500.