TWO schoolgirls united by the deaths of their siblings have been praised for inspiring their friends and family to cope with the double tragedy.

On November 11, Christina Askham's brother Barry, 22, was killed when he was riding his motorbike along the A1.

Then eight days later, Leah Daley's 15-year-old sister Rebecca (Beckie) was found hanged at the family home in Benskin Road, Watford.

Christina, 14, and Leah, 16, both attend Francis Combe School in Horseshoe Lane, Garston - where Beckie and Barry were also pupils - and they returned to class within days.

They helped others cope with the tragedies and, in recognition of their courage, teachers nominated the teenagers for the Citygate Young People of the Year awards.

Leah, who is studying for her AS Levels, said: "I was really, really happy. I was really emotional. I didn't think people would look at me in that way.

"My family are really proud of me. It does mean a lot to me that I can help people with things like this."

Leah made an emotional speech at Sunday's awards ceremony, where the girls missed out on first prize, and said she would not have coped without the support of her family, her boyfriend, friends and teachers.

She said: "I realised everybody would be watching me to see how I coped.

"So I decided that I had to be strong and calm for everybody's sake.

"I admit that this was very difficult and still is, but it needed to be done so I did it."

Christina, from Phillipers, Garston, described Barry as "very brotherly" and someone who was "always laughing and talking and joking around".

She said: "It affected me in lots of different ways.

"I was scared and upset. I just wanted to get on and didn't want to sit around and remember too much.

"Leah and I both shared something so we knew what each other was going through.

"It helps when you've got someone in a similar situation to you."

Mum Angelica said: "Christina went back to school shortly after the accident.

"Barry always wanted her to study hard and get a good education so she was doing it for him.

"She has tried to keep her chin up, not just for other members of the family but for everyone around.

"She has encouraged us all to carry on with our lives."

Francis Combe School headteacher Geoff Carr said: "We nominated them because they were such good role models in the way they dealt with tragedy.

"It's not just that their friends were devastated, the teachers were equally upset.

"They could have dropped out for a few days or been away for a while but they didn't.

"They had about a day gap and then were back in lessons and delivering homework.

"They provided such a strong example for everybody around them.

"They deserved it for their strength of character and deciding not to let it destroy their lives.

"It just set such a fine example of how to be strong and go forward in life."