A selfless schoolgirl who has acted as a guardian angel' to a friend has been nominated for a top award.

Kyenat Xaheer, nine, has been put up for an outstanding achievement award in the under 11s category in the Bradford Young Citizen Awards 2007.

Over the last three years, Kyenat has provided support to classmate Molly Weatherill, who suffers from the neurological condition neuronal migration disorder and is a selective mute.

The pair have built up a special relationship and Kyenat now helps Molly communicates with her teachers at Wycliffe CE Primary School, in Shipley.

Kyenat has been described by school staff as a guardian angel'.

Another pupil at the Shipley school, Kimberley Mathers, has also been nominated for the award.

Learning mentor Dot Martin, who nominated the girls, said: "Kyenat is not asked to do this, she just does it out of friendship. Not many other children would help another child off their own back, like this. Kyenat has broken down barriers for this girl."

Meanwhile, Kimberley, ten, was put forward because she has improved her behaviour beyond belief, according to deputy head teacher Jane Dark.

Mrs Dark said where Kimberley used to have problems in certain situations, now she is able to contain her anger.

Kimberley, who has faced some challenging situations in her young life, has now been made a school buddy', a role which is given to those pupils to help others.

Mrs Martin said: "Being a school buddy has given her a different focus, now she feels like she is someone who other children look up to and come to for help."

Mrs Dark, who has taught both girls, said: "As a child in school it is very difficult to overcome personal circumstances and these children have done just that."

The awards will be presented at a ceremony at St George's Hall, Bradford, on Thursday, March 22.

Although the deadline for nomination forms, right, is Monday, the Council will accept nominations to the end of the week. They are keen to receive nominations in the under-11s category.

e-mail: ali.davies @bradford.newsquest.co.uk