COURAGEOUS Alistair Horne is not your ordinary ten-year-old boy.

Each morning, the youngster doesn't just have his own day to worry about — there's his mum's to sort out too.

Alistair, of Vincent Street, Sandfields, has become "a rock" for his blind and diabetic mum Tina, who also suffers from kidney failure.

A typical day for Alistair involves getting himself and his sister Natasha, 8, out of bed, preparing breakfast and walking her to school. He also has to accompany his younger sibling to after-school clubs before arriving home where his work begins again.

He helps his mother sort the laundry, puts washing on, cleans the house and helps look after Natasha. He also has to visit his ill grandmother who lives nearby to help with any needs she may have.

And Alistair does it all without any word of complaint.

Every evening Tina requires dialysis. Alistair supervises his mum as she connects herself to her dialysis machine and monitors the procedure and reads the control for her in case she gets into difficulty.

The brave youngster has learnt an emergency procedure and knows who to call and what to do should any problems arise.

It is only then that Alistair can see to himself before his day starts again in the morning.

Sarah James, of Crossroads Young Carers Project, nominated Alistair for the award.

She said: "Alistair is a happy, excitable young boy who is a valued member of the Young Carers Project. He has always contributed in all activities and is keen to help without being asked."

Courageous Alistair has found his mum on several occasions lying in a diabetic coma. But he does not panic and knows exactly what to do. Ms James said: "The comas are a big concern for Alistair but he remains strong.

"Alistair is fantastic in welcoming new young carers to the group and he is a pleasure to work with."