A YOUNG woman who beat the odds and turned her life around has today been commended by The Prince of Wales at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Ex-offender Casey Taylor was named as a runner up by HRH Prince Charles for The Prince's Trust and Samsung's Young Achiever Award at a glitzy event hosted by Ant and Dec today.

The 22-year-old from Swaythling who had been in trouble with the police since she was 15 was one of just four people in the country to be nominated for the award.

Her nomination recognised how Casey, who had been arrested 11 times and convicted six times for eight different offences since she was 15, has changed her life for the better with the help of the Prince's Trust's Fairbridge programme.

She is now training to become a youth worker and starts an apprenticeship to become an outdoor activities instructor next month.

Casey is also an ambassador and volunteer for the Prince's Trust, a part-time youth worker for the Saints Foundation and she's a key player in the Daily Echo-backed Police and Crime Commissioner's Be Part of the Solution campaign, and hopes to encourage other youngsters to follow her lead.

But she missed out on the top prize to Joel Fields who spent his childhood with 15 foster families and in four care homes.

The 18-year-old from Birmingham now hopes to become a coach with Marks and Spencer where he has worked since taking part in an employability programme with The Prince's Trust.

Andy Griffiths, president of Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland, said: “On behalf of all at Samsung I would like to extend a huge and heartfelt congratulations to all of the young people honoured at The Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success awards.

“Casey's personal journey has proved that it is possible to succeed against the odds and I would like to wish her the very best for the future.”

The prizes were presented in front of a star-studded audience of 16,000 at the Odeon in Leicester Square, London, including actor Kevin Spacey, Simon Cowell, TV presenters Gok Wan and Fearne Cotton, JLS star Oritsé Williams and musician Labrinth.