Imagine being so overcome by tiredness when you put your clothes in the morning that your day has to end before its begun.

Millions of adults may feel like this before they wake up to the world and set off for work.

But a for a handful of people, the symptoms can overpower them and leave them unable to carry out the simplest of tasks.

This is the case for 14-year-old Cian Stancliffe who suffers from Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME).

The illness is characterised by pains in joints and muscles, hypersensitivity to light and sound, and exhaustion.

The cause of ME is unknown, there is no cure and symptoms have to be managed through a strict regime of rest and by restricting daily activities.

Despite his struggles, the All Saints pupil has gradually increased his attendance at school and, with the help of a tutor, has achieved top grades.

His sterling efforts have seen him nominated for the Spirit of Youth category in The Press' Community Pride awards by Katherine Platt, a Hospital and Home teacher working for the City of York Specialist Teaching Team.

She said: "Opportunities to walk to school with friends, take part in trips and sports and socialise outside school have been limited.

"Throughout this time Cian has shown great maturity and determination to overcome the understandable frustrations, anxieties and disappointments that living with such a debilitating illness brings.

"Cian has been exemplary in following the guidance of his paediatrician and physiotherapist, and as a result his symptoms are slowly improving.

"Statistics show that 80 per cent of young people with ME drop out or fall behind in their education.

"Over the course of this year Cian has been able to gradually increase his school attendance to 50% with some home tuition alongside and has achieved fantastic grades.

"The last few years have been very testing for Cian, but with the help of his family, doctors and school he is always looking for ways to overcome the challenges in front of him and to be as involved as he can in life at All Saints school. For example, although he was unable to complete all the school sponsored walk he did his own version."