AN inspirational young woman who experienced a violent childhood now runs her own nursery business and is in the running for a prestigious award.

Kerry Harkins, 29 of Evesham, experienced a violent childhood, an abusive relationship and emotional turmoil after her mother died when she was young.

But, after seeking help, she was able to set up her own nursery business.

She is now one of just three people from across the UK to be chosen as a finalist for a royal award at the Prince's Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards.

The Oscar-style ceremony, hosted by Ant and Dec, recognises the achievements of young people supported by the Trust who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.

Among the celebrity guests will be actor Kevin Spacey, X Factor judge Simon Cowell, actress Gemma Arterton and Arsenal legend and World Cup winner Thierry Henry, who will come together to congratulate the young people on their achievements. Singers Ella Henderson and James Bay will also be performing at the event.

Kerry is up for the RBS Enterprise Award which recognises young people who have overcome serious difficulties in order to achieve success in creating a sustainable business or social enterprise.

Kerry had a harrowing childhood, facing horrifying violence and a total lack of stability. Things came to a head when Kerry was 16, and her mother died.

Afraid to remain at home, Kerry left and started a new life, but was soon drawn into an abusive relationship which made her fear for her children’s safety.

She said: “It felt like life was always going to be the same. I never had an education and I thought that because of that I would never get a good wage and that I’d always struggle to get by."

Determined to create a better life for her children, Kerry enrolled on a childcare course, ended her relationship and started a completely new life.

She gained work experience at a day care nursery and became focused on starting her own children’s nursery.

Kerry approached the Prince’s Trust and participated in the Enterprise programme, which helps unemployed young people start up in business.

With Prince’s Trust support, Kerry researched her market, secured start up funds and gained Ofsted accreditation.

Within a year of trading, Kerry’s Evesham Day Nursery had 60 children on its books, employed eight staff and was Ofsted accredited.

Confident and capable, Kerry has now moved into larger premises and hopes to grow her business by opening more nurseries in the future.

She said: “Having The Prince’s Trust there for me gave me so much confidence. They believed in me and supported me all the way and made me feel I was good and could do anything. To be honest, I never thought just me, one person could do it, but the Trust showed me that I could and now I’ve got a life I never thought I’d have. It’s amazing.”

The Prince’s Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards, now in their eleventh year, will be held on March 12 at London’s Leicester Square Odeon.

This is the national final following a series of regional award ceremonies which took place across the country at the end of 2014.