A Glasgow teenager with learning difficulties has won the Educational Achiever of the Year award from the Prince's Trust.

Alistair Blair, from Hollybrook School, overcame substantial barriers to learning, particularly literacy and numeracy difficulties, to become an active participant in the school community.

The 17-year-old was among the young people, adults and organisations from across Scotland whose achievements were honoured by the leading youth charity at a glamorous awards ceremony in Edinburgh last night.

The annual event, Celebrate Success, took place to mark the achievements of young people who have turned their lives around and made a vital contribution to their local community, and those who contribute to the continuing success of the trust's programmes.

Alistair, who hopes to become a plasterer when he leaves school, said he was delighted to win the award.

"I was very excited when I heard I had been nominated," he said. "My friends, my brothers and sisters, and my mum and dad are very proud of me and I am proud of myself."

As a member of the Princes's Trust xl club, Alistair is heavily involved in activities, both inside and outside school.

The programme of xl clubs helps struggling pupils by teaming them up with an adviser and other students at school.

"I was involved in a project to clean up the local park," said Alistair. "We removed all the graffiti from the walls and tidied the area up, and I also came up with the designs for a stained glass window that is in Samaritan House in Govanhill.

"My favourite subject is PE and I love basketball, football and swimming. I like taking part in sport and being active."

Alistair said he felt in no way disadvantaged by his learning difficulties and he encouraged other struggling pupils to keep focused.

"I would say just stick at it no matter what, work hard and stay dedicated, even when it's not easy," he said.

"I have never felt disadvantaged because of my learning difficulties and I see myself like any other person trying to do well."

Mary Farrell, headteacher at Hollybrook School, said the award was welcome recognition of the work that is being done in the school.

"The commitment of the staff to helping young people face challenges and the achievements of all the pupils has not gone unrecognised," she said.

"It is a huge uplift for the school and much credit must go to Victor Cannon, lead teacher of the xl club, for taking the group forward."

The finalists were honoured in the presence of 300 guests at the event, hosted by broadcaster and comedian Fred MacAulay. Geraldine Gammell, director of the Prince's Trust in Scotland, said the achievements of all the winners should be applauded.

"The winners of this year's Celebrate Success Awards once again highlight the outstanding achievements of some of Scotland's most disadvantaged and hardest to reach young people, she said.

"Today's ceremony demonstrates how many of these young people, despite significant barriers in their lives have made great progress in turning their lives around."

Finalists were selected from 4000 young people supported by the trust in Scotland this year.

The charity was founded by the Prince of Wales in 1976, and since then has helped more than 60,000 young people in Scotland.

The Prince's Trust Scotland Celebrate Success Award winners:

Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by AEGON - Scott MacFarlane, Stirling Scott MacFarlane is a Historic Scotland employee and volunteer on the Prince's Trust Team Programme. He is passionate about working with young people and has made an immense impact on the lives of those he has worked with.

Educational Achiever of the Year Award, sponsored by ScottishPower - Alistair Blair, Hollybrook School In the past year Alistair has overcome substantial barriers to learning, including moderate learning difficulties, particularly relating to literacy and numeracy, to become a very active participant within the school community.

Young Achiever of the Year Award, sponsored by Elphinstone - Susan Cameron Susan took steps to face drug and alcohol addictions through the Prince's Trust Team programme and became a key team member, supporting and encouraging others.

She was voted Greatest Achiever by her team mates.

Partnership Award, sponsored by Mindstore - Outward Bound Metro From hill walking to canoeing, the staff motivate team members to reach goals beyond their own expectations.

Leadership Award, sponsored by Capgemini - Jane Kerr, Newton Mearns Jane pioneered the Get into Cars programme run by the Prince's Trust Scotland and Arnold Clark Automobiles.

Community Impact Award, sponsored by RBS - Lochgelly High School, Dundee Whilst participating in a Prince's Trust xl Club at school, nine members of the S3 team made a hugely significant contribution to their local community by creating an outstanding BMX bike track.

Staff Award - Susan Martin Glasgow's Susan Martin was honoured for her outstanding success and achievement among employees of the Prince's Trust Scotland.