FASHION students from Darlington College of Technology have got their first taste of the commercial world they hope to work in.

BTEC National Diploma fashion and clothing students Holly Storer and Samantha Hall were awarded industry prizes for creating the most commercial and innovative collections.

Holly, 18, of Trimdon, was given the chance to exhibit her Second Skin collection in the window of fashion store Leggs, in Skinnergate, Darlington.

Owner Ann Coxon said: "I thought all the clothes produced by the students this year were of an excellent standard, but Holly's had that extra wow factor.

"I can tell from the response of shoppers to the window display that her work will really sell."

Holly, who is going on to study fashion at degree level, said: "I was over the moon. I really want to be a designer. I would love to work for a big fashion house to get experience of other designers then one day have my own label." Samantha, 17, of Barnard Castle, said she was pleased to receive a voucher from Ellie's Shoes for her collection, which was called Pure Innocence and influenced by collections at Bowes Museum.

Owner of Ellie's Pamela Hall said: "Quite often, student collections can be a bit weird and wacky, but in this case I thought the clothes were really lovely."

Later this year, Samantha starts a four-year textile degree.