HER life was cut tragically short by cancer. But, with the support of her former school, her memory lives on.

Tilda Hetrick passed away a month before her 20th birthday. She was a pupil at Galashiels Academy where her favourite subject was Human Biology.

Now an award - shaped like a star - has been created in her name to remember her.

The Tilda Hetrick Human Biology Award is awarded to the Galashiels Academy pupil with the highest achievement in the Higher Human Biology final exam.

This year it was awarded to 17-year-old Lucy Robinson, from Galashiels. She told the Border Telegraph: “I’m so honoured because I know the family so it’s really special.” Tilda was a pupil at the Academy until 2011 when she was offered a place to study neuroscience at Dundee University. However, she was forced to postpone her studies after being diagnosed with cancer.

The award, now in its second year, was presented by Todd Hetrick - Tilda’s dad. His wife, Tilda’s mum, is a former English teacher at the school.

Mr Hetrick said: “My wife and I are really grateful to Galashiels Academy to agree to have this award presented and part of the achievements.

“This is the second year the award has been presented. Last year it was presented to Peter Glenfield, he was the first recipient. There is a shooting star trophy which stays within the school, with the name of the recipients each year, and it’s kept in the display unit here, and then each pupil winner receives their own individual star. We chose a star because Tilda was our star so we thought it was fitting.” The award was presented at a special prize-giving ceremony at the Academy.