A sub-editor who faced cancer and was also hopsitalised by an accident has been recognised for her strength in facing adversity.

Isla Aitken, pictured, has been awarded the prize for Overcoming Adversity by the Association of Scottish Businesswomen.

Isla, who freelances at the East Lothian Courier, was praised by judges for overcoming an accident which hospitalised her in her 20s, making a move to Scotland from London and then facing breast cancer in 2017.

She later launched her own business, Green Gables Editing, in 2019 – just before the pandemic hit.

Isla, 50, told the Haddington-based Courier: “It’s certainly been a rollercoaster.

“I’m just hugely grateful to my family, my lovely husband Michael, and my incredibly kind friends for always being there for me and supporting me through the evolution of my career.”

Judge Elaine Guthrie added: “Isla has been driven to succeed despite hitting various hurdles and challenges along the way.”