While many teenagers spend their evenings and weekends with friends, out shopping or simply just sleeping, one 14-year-old girl from Helston regularly gives up her free time to support children half her age.

Jadene Hichens has now been recognised for her dedication with an award from town mayor John Martin, after volunteering for 2nd Helston Brownies for the last three years.

She was named the 2018 Helston Young Citizen of the Year, during the mayor's annual civic service.

Jadene, a student Helston Community College, attends the weekly meetings of the unit at Parc Eglos School.

Every Wednesday between 6.30pm and 8pm she can be found nurturing the new members, as well as helping the older girls as they transition over to the Guides unit she is herself a member of.

As a former member of 2nd Helston Brownies, from the ages of seven to ten years old, Jadene knows only too well what benefit such support can give to the youngsters.

As a result, she also gives up many of her Saturdays to help out with outings, such as camping trips, sleepovers and a recent visit to a local care home.

Sam Goldsworthy, leader of the Brownie unit and Joint District Commissioner for Helston Girlguiding, has been so impressed with Jadene that she nominated the teenager for the award - and the mayor agreed.

Sam said: "There's not many 14-year-olds that give up every Wednesday. Recently we've taken them camping and done watersports at Stithians and she always gives up her weekends to volunteer at our unit.

"We nominated Jadene as Young Citizen of the Year for Helston as I wanted her volunteering and general dedication recognised within the Helston community."

Jadene was presented with her award during a service following the civic parade earlier this month, which some of the Brownie pack also attended along with other youth organisations in the town.