The efforts of a brave Valleys youngster, who has been suffering from a severe form of epilepsy for over seven years, were recognised at Valley's Radio's Local Heroes 2005 Awards.

Sarah Mole, 20, from Abercwmboi in Aberdare, was presented with an adult achiever award by category sponsors Talk-Training after overcoming several life-threatening operations to achieve outstanding GCSE and A-level results.

The Nantgarw-based management and vocational training provider Talk-Training sponsored the adult achiever award category this year to recognise outstanding adult achievers and encourage others to take up training and development.

Sarah, who still dreams of being an accountant, was forced to drop out of Blaen-gwawr Comprehensive School at the age of 13 after suffering a series of epileptic seizures.

In 2001, Sarah, who was suffering up to 25 attacks a day, was referred to the neurosurgery unit at the Heath Hospital, Cardiff, and was later diagnosed with cortical displasia.

Recognising the severity of her condition, Sarah was referred to King's College Hospital, London, where, after five weeks of monitoring, she had an operation to have abnormal tissue from her brain removed.

Ten months later, the seizures returned worse than ever. Last year she underwent three further operations where electrodes were placed on the brain in a bid to put an end to the seizures.

Within no time, Sarah suffered two major brain haemorrhages, leaving her lucky to be alive, but with severe vision impairment and acute speech and language problems.

Despite all this, Sarah battled through treatment and her illness, to gain seven GCSEs and two A-levels in geography and business studies.

She is currently attending Rookwood, a rehabilitation and trauma hospital in Cardiff, where she receives treatment to stimulate the brain to help regain normal reading, writing and speaking skills.

Her mother, Karen, who attended the event at the Maes Manor Hotel, Blackwood, along with her husband, Ashley, said: "Seven years of Sarah's life have been taken away from her, and she has missed out so much on leading a normal life as a teenager. "Sarah hasn't let this condition get the better of her and has worked through her illness to gain terrific academic results. We're all proud of Sarah and we're delighted that she has received this well-deserved recognition."

Dean Sanders, managing director of Talk-Training, was eager to support the event which aims to develop community ties in the Valleys.

He said: "Being from Aberdare myself, I wanted to give something back to the community, and sponsoring this well-deserved award was the ideal way of doing this. "Sarah's sheer determination and courage to overcome this cruel condition is truly inspirational. "She is a shining example to us all, and I wish her well with her recovery."