A 19-year-old girl who left school with few GCSEs and a desire to work in the construction industry has been named Wandsworth Young Person of the Year.

Rachel Penfold, from Tooting, picked up a trophy, certificate and cheque for £500 after being recognised during a celebration of remarkable young people at Wandsworth’s Civic Suite last week.

After leaving school with few GCSE’s Rachel had no real purpose or direction and ended up spending her time drinking and hanging around the street.

Following several attempts at finding a course she loved, Miss Penfold began studying painting and decorating and last October enrolled on a Women into Construction course.

Soon after that, she made it on to London Youth’s Build-it pilot project, which was shown on Channel 4 in May as part of The Secret Millions series.

Build-it’s organisers were all impressed by Rachel’s passion and commitment for the project, which saw her working alongside professional tradespeople and other young people to refurbish a house in Brixton for a family in need of a new home.

Rachel was nominated for the award by the team at Furzedown Youth Centre, where she has attended for the past three years and now regularly volunteers.

She said: "I was sitting there just wanting to receive a certificate, then l heard my story getting read out. It was so overwhelming I can’t explain it - I just started to cry.

"When they said I was the Young Person of the Year I was so excited I couldn’t breathe.

"I was in shock, overjoyed and so, so happy. I just can’t believe it."

In total, eight individuals and two groups received awards and certificates from the borough’s now-former mayor Councillor Adrian Knowles in one of his last engagements before handing over the mayoralty to Councillor Angela Graham on Thursday, May 16.

Tuesday night also saw 11-year-old flutist Isabel Walter receive a Wandsworth Young Performer of the Year certificate - and treat the audience to two performances.