A singer who overcame homelessness and despair can count dance sensation Ms Dynamite as her number one fan.

Sarah Bennett, 24, from Brighton, was presented with the Prince's Trust Young Achiever Award by Ms Dynamite at the star-studded Pride Of Britain ceremony in London last night.

Ms Dynamite welled up with tears when Sarah picked up her guitar and sang a song she wrote called Inspiration.

She declared: "Any record company should rush to sign her because she needs a deal. She sings from the heart and she is so talented. We need that."

"And I need the money," Sarah broke in.

After sleeping on the streets for three years, Sarah resorted to drugs, suffered a nervous breakdown, then fought back to become a musician.

Like Sarah, Ms Dynamite left home at 15, lived in hostels and felt suicidal. Both have pulled through difficult times.

Sarah performed to a standing ovation from an audience which included Sir Paul McCartney, Helena Christensen, Natasha Kaplinsky, Ant and Dec and Doreen Lawrence.

She said: "I feel incredibly humbled by the award. I have never won anything in my life apart from £1 on a scratch card maybe.

"I felt humbled and very emotional listening to everyone else's stories. I really was in the company of angels."

At 15, Sarah was placed in care. By 16 she was living rough on the streets. Scared and alone, she dabbled in petty crime and drugs before taking steps to change her life.

When she heard about The Prince's Trust Sound Live Course - a personal development course for young musicians - it proved a turning point.

She discovered a voice she never knew she had and gained the skills, confidence and motivation.

Sarah secured a scholarship for an HND in music at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.

Sir Tom Shebbeare, chief executive of The Prince's Trust, said: "The confidence and vitality that shines from Sarah today are a testament to her own personal courage and her story should bring hope and inspiration to everyone."

Sixties model turned animal welfare champion Celia Hammond won the Linda McCartney Award for Animal Welfare.

Celia, 62, abandoned a highly-successful modelling career to devote her time to animal welfare, setting up the Celia Hammond Animal Trust which is based in High Street, Wadhurst.

The awards will be on ITV tonight at 8pm.