"You have to give children the right to dream. Seeing the children today might make other children think, maybe we can sing, or dance or play chess"

The Duchess of York has presented the award for Britain's most talented child to the youngest person to sail the Atlantic solo.

The Duchess presented Britain's Prodigy of the Year Award to Seb Clover, 16, of the Isle of Wight.

Last year, at the age of 15, Seb sailed into the record books as the youngest person to cross the Atlantic alone.

At ITV1's Britain's Brilliant Prodigies Awards he was chosen from seven other talented children as Prodigy of the Year. The Duchess, who said she would be terrified of sailing the Atlantic alone, described Seb as extraordinarily brave.

She said: "Sebastian gives children who are watching inspiration. They see he has done it alone, dealing with nature's elements, and are inspired."

The awards are held in association with the charity Children In Crisis, founded 10 years ago by the Duchess.

She said: "You have to give children the right to dream. Seeing the children today might make other children think, maybe we can sing, or dance or play chess."

Seb also won the Inspiration Award, presented by Sir Bob Geldof.

Sir Bob said: "It is extraordinary. He has achieved something at 15 which most adults do not dream of achieving in a lifetime."

Seb now hopes to be one of the youngest people to sail alone around Cape Horn, one of the most dangerous ocean crossings in the world.

Another award this year was Best Young Modern Dancer, presented to 15-year Louie Batley from Chorley, Lancs, by Claire Sweeney.

Sweeney said: "I think it is fabulous. I could never dance that way at 15. She deserves all the success she's going to get."

Best Young Instrumentalist was presented to Rick Uttley, 15, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire by percussionist Evelyn Glennie.

Rick won the award for playing classical piano but he is also a fan of the Stone Roses and plays with his own indi band.

Best Young Pop Singer was presented to Jessica Cornish, 15, of Romford, Essex by Bee Gee Robin Gibb.

Best Young Sports Person was presented to Karla Quinn from Rasharkin, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland by former Blue Peter presenter Diana Louise Jordan.

And the Best Young Chess Player award was presented to David Howell, 11, from Seaford, East Sussex, by Sir Patrick Moore.

Best Young Classical Singer was Hannah Bradbury, 15, of Stoke on Trent.

And the International Award went to young harpist Sasha Boldachev, from St Petersburg, Russia.

The Duchess was keen to emphasise the international work of Children In Crisis.

She said: "We are providing opportunities for children who have no opportunities. We go where children are forgotten, for example Kabul in Afghanistan."

Recently the Duchess travelled to Russia with Children In Crisis but said there were no plans for the charity to visit Iraq. She said: "Later on we will look at Iraq, when we can be of most use."