FRANCES Jones had nothing to draw on when joining Herefordshire College of Art and Design. With no formal education - and any attempts at learning hampered by dyslexia - her new environment could easily have overcome her.

Not that Frances thought of herself as disadvantaged. She owes all that she knows of life's lessons to her mother.

When the time came to apply those lessons, mum's teaching wasn't found wanting.

Frances, who is now 18, had talents she wanted to take to the art college and - now in her second year - these have been demonstrated in what she has achieved so far: student governor, seats on college and county panels, active over the environment and equal opportunities...

Last year she won the Harold Beaver award - one of the most prestigious the college can offer - for her outstanding contribution.

This week she has the Anne Frank award and is one of four winners in Herefordshire's inaugural version of this salute to 'moral courage.'

Anne Frank was about the same age as Emilie Cox, another award winner.

At 14, Emilie organised an anti-war demonstration at Hereford's Whitecross High School, negotiating with head Denise Strutt to let like-minded students protest on the playing field.

Emilie had already won over school management to get vegan food in a canteen that 'catered to all student needs'. Her first point of contact is often administrative assistant Catharine Hurwood, who nominated Emilie for her conscience, wisdom and foresight.

Kirsty Grantham is now at Kingstone High schoo but her award is for everyday courage at Clehonger Primary with cerebral palsy.

Head Julie Duckworth says Kirsty was 'incredible' in meeting all aspects of school life and communicating her experience to peers, whose needs she would always put above her own.

At 18 Joss Garman is a veteran of battles with Britain's military. Now the Hereford Sixth Form College student has been 'decorated' in his fight for peace.

Joss's principles are backed by his principal; college head Dr Jonathon Godfrey nominated him for his Anne Frank award.

The usual response to Joss's actions in the name of peace and the environment is arrest and trial. Over the past year alone Joss has broken into RAF Fairford from where American bombers took off for Iraq, cut into Menwith hill spy station and blocked entry to Faslane naval yard where nuclear submarines dock.

It is not just direct action that attracts Joss. He has been a Greenpeace delegate to the UN conference in The Hague and addressed the Atlantic International College and the Green Party conference on conservation and anti-war issues.