Cheryl was named Eastern Regional Winner in the 2008 Barclays Trading Places Awards and is now a candidate for the national award. A triumph for Cheryl who always wanted to study holistic therapy but couldn't afford tuition, until a college course opened up. Now she has her own blossoming business, Take Care Footcare. But that's just half the story.

Just two weeks before her final exams, Cheryl was diagnosed with cancer. Such was her determination that she put off having an operation until the day after she took her final written exam. She passed with flying colours, but had to put launching her business on hold while she had cancer treatment.

Now she's a worthy candidate for an award that recognises people who overcame barriers to positively change their lives by setting up in business. Remarkable.

Brittany deserves to stay in Britain

CLEARLY there have to be strict rules on immigration, and we all understand why. But, let's hope commonsense prevails over red tape in the case of 18-year-old Brittany Cameron who has lived in Whittlesey since she was three, but still has an American passport.

Obviously Brittany's British mother never foresaw the problems this might cause if she didn't apply for her daughter to have British citizenship after leaving her American father. Brittany has only known life in Britain as she has grown up, and wants to stay here and continue her education. Let's hope the authorities give her a break.