AN inspirational Kidderminster teenager has received a prestigious award in memory of Princess Diana in recognition for his years volunteering at the town's youth trust.

Matthew Thomas, 19, has been recognised on the roll of honour for this year's Diana Award for his volunteer work at the Kidderminster and District Youth Trust (KDYT), based at Youth House, in Bromsgrove Street.

Matthew collected his award at a ceremony in Birmingham on Tuesday (October 3). Held at the CSBO Centre, the ceremony included speeches by Tessy Ojo, CEO of the Diana Award, Lord Lieutenant John Crabtree OBE and X Factor contestant Sohelia Clifford.

Matthew first starting attending KDYT’s youth club five years ago and has faced significant challenges in his life including periods of homelessness - where he sometimes found himself sleeping in a car.

He volunteered at KDYT for four years in the role of a young advisor – a leadership programme run by the trust – and has now progressed to become their first apprentice youth worker, a role which will see him gain an accredited youth work qualification.

Over the years, he has been involved in fundraising, youth club activities, planning events, delivering education programmes and assisting with residential activity weekends.

On receiving his award, Matt said: "It was a great day and I am really honoured to have received the Diana Award.

"Working with young people at KDYT allows me to see how much potential for creating change they have and I look forward to working with them in the future."

Cat Bennett, lead youth worker at KDYT, added: "What a privilege to share Matt’s special day.

"Having worked with him since he was 13, we have seen him deal with challenges and develop into a good youth worker, in being so, he is supporting young people in the way that he was supported and is helping to change lives."

The Diana Award was set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and he belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. This year's roll of honour is especially poignant as 2017 marks 20 years since Princess Diana's death.