Kelly Bone, 18, was overjoyed to receive the accolade from former rugby player Matt Dawson at a ceremony at Ascot racecourse.

The triumphant teenager has overcome personal difficulties and said the prize – as part of the South East Learning and Skills awards – was a real boost.

Currently an apprentice at Huhtamaki (UK) in Gosport, Kelly was short-listed from among hundreds of applications throughout the south east for her outstanding qualities.

But the success has been thrust upon her – she did not know she was in the running for the award until her boss told her afterwards.

She said: 'I'm very pleased. It was a really fun evening, and to actually win the award was really cool – I really didn't expect it, it was just something my boss put me forward for.

'My mum always told me that nothing in life came for free, but if you put the work in it really pays. I suppose I am proof of that.'

Kelly, from Alliance Close, Gosport, is currently undertaking an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration as part of her Advanced Apprenticeship programme at Huhtamaki (UK) where she was made a full-time member of staff just six months into a year-long apprenticeship.

Having left school at 16 after her GCSEs, Kelly also left home, staying in the homes of friends before going into sheltered accommodation.

But a year later while on a Jobseekers programme, she applied to train with Huhtamaki, and was eagerly taken on.

Boss Aimee Davis, Senior Human Resources Officer, said it was clear why she stood out from the pack.

She said: 'I remember when she came in to be interviewed. We had a number of applicants, but Kelly just stood out. She was only 18 at the time, but she had a real spark and energy. We're so proud of her.