A KIND-HEARTED Evesham girl was presented with an award at a special school assembly for her selfless devotion to a visually impaired classmate.

Jessica Andrews, a pupil at St Richard's First School in Evesham, helps classmate Brandon Corr, who has been visually impaired since birth, by copying text off the blackboard, encouraging him to use specialist equipment like binoculars and moving bags out of the way to ensure he doesn't fall.

The nine-year-old, who has been caring for Brandon for years, beat competition from ten other youngsters from Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin to be named West Mercia Constabulary's first-ever Good Citizen of the Year.

Her award and a cheque for £100, which will be divided equally with the county air ambulance, was presented to her by Chief Constable Paul West on Tuesday to commend her efforts in the classroom.

She was nominated by teaching assistant Julie Hardman for the patient, quiet and unassuming way she helps Brandon, who received a Good citizen certificate earlier this year for the positive way he copes with his disability.

Ms Hardman said although she and teaching assistant Joan Armstrong provide 14 hours of classroom support each week, there was still 11 hours when Brandon needed help and Jessica has instinctively done everything she can to support him.

"Everybody in the school helps Brandon but Jessica is that extra bit helpful, she'll go that little bit extra for him," she said.

Mr West said: "I was hugely impressed by Jessica's exceptional contribution to school life which makes such a difference to one individual in particular. I believe that she has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the principles of good citizenship."