A 13-YEAR-OLD girl who spends her weekends looking after her brother was one of more than 60 youngsters to be presented a Try Angle award.

A pupil at Hextable School, in Egerton Road, Hextable, Lauren Reeves was one of three children to receive the befriending and young carers award on Wednesday, July 10.

The Try Angle awards recognise young people who have made special achievements in the community.

Lauren was accompanied by Megan, 10, and Declan Murray, 12, who care for their mother who suffers from epilepsy and arthritis, to receive their awards at Dartford's Orchard Theatre, in Home Gardens.

Although Lauren's brother Gary is 16, he has the mental age of eight and has behavioural problems because he has a rare condition called Smith's McGuinness disease.

She cares for her brother when he returns from his school in Brighton every weekend.

This means she has made sacrifices in her life, including not attending the county netball trials because she could not spare the time if she was selected.

Lauren was delighted with the award and said although she understands why Gary must come first all the time: "I am getting the attention instead of my brother for a change."

Among the other winners were local band members of Life Sentence, Ben Haddon, 16, Scott Mallard, 16, Daniel Mackey, 17, Jack Outred, 14, and Kelly Holt, 16, who provided some of the evening's entertainment.

July 16, 2002 12:30