THE pride of Tees Valley's youth will be honoured tonight at a glittering awards ceremony to celebrate achievements in education and training.

Thousands of students have been considered in the competition to find the top students of the year but only 11 will walk away with the honours.

Organised by FE+, an innovative partnership of Tees Valley Colleges, it is the first time the award scheme has been held and it is being staged with the backing of the Government and leading companies, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, Huntsman Tioxide, the University of Teesside and The Northern Echo.

Prize money totalling almost £4,000 is up for grabs with 11 students being chosen in 11 categories and one overall winner of the competition receiving the title of Tees Valley FE Student of the Year.

Taking part in the exciting competition are students from Cleveland College of Art and Design, Darlington College of Technology, Hartlepool College of Further Education, Middlesbrough College, Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College.

One student per college was nominated by their tutors in each category after taking into consideration their backgrounds, achievements and progress made on vocational or academic courses.

An independent panel of judges, comprising representatives from FE+ and sponsors, has now selected the 11 category winners and the overall student of the year.

Results will be revealed tonight at a glamorous awards ceremony and gala dinner for about 600 guests at Tall Trees, Yarm

FE+ was formed in 2000 to promote the development and delivery of high quality education and training in the Tees Valley.

Its marketing chairman and principal of Hartlepool College David Waddington said: "We can barely wait to reveal the winners of a competition which has provided a high profile opportunity to showcase the remarkable success of learners in the further education sector."

Editor of The Northern Echo Peter Barron added: "I am really looking forward to the students getting their just rewards. We are all guilty of concentrating on the negative when it comes to our young people. But these awards provide the opportunity to redress the balance and highlight some of the hard work and dedication shown by many young people."

The event will also mark the launch of a new publication, The Impact of Further Education in the Tees Valley. The first edition includes student success stories, articles on the influence of further education on the economy and an outline of colleges' future plans.

* Find out who won the coveted Tees Valley FE Student of the Year title in The Northern Echo tomorrow and read the stories behind all our winners in a special supplement on Wednesday, May 4.

Nominees in competition to find top students

The Engineering Industry Award sponsored by Heerema: Joseph Leighton, Redcar & Cleveland College; Daniel Pereira, Middlesbrough College; Ben Alderson, Darlington College of Technology; Richard McKie, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Christopher Bennett, Stockton Riverside College

The Construction Industry Award sponsored by Darlington Borough Council: William Allison, Darlington College of Technology; Richard Langley, Redcar & Cleveland College; Kevin Murphy, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Rikki Woodhouse, Middlesbrough College; Martyn Dale, Stockton Riverside College

The Computing and Information Technology Award sponsored by Dell: Ben Walton, Darlington College of Technology; Ian Briggs, Middlesbrough College; Tony Williams, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Gary John Lightfoot, Redcar & Cleveland College; Craig Wood, Stockton Riverside College

The Hair and Beauty Industry Award sponsored by Salon Services Hair & Beauty Ltd: Rosella Meduri, Darlington College of Technology; Jenna Atkinson, Middlesbrough College; Samantha Twidale, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Tam Williams, Redcar & Cleveland College; Bonnie Fitzpatrick, Stockton Riverside College

The Hospitality and Catering Industry Award sponsored by Middlesbrough College: Martin Busby, Darlington College of Technology; Katie Griggs, Middlesbrough College; Sarah Dunn, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Massoud Qafuri, Stockton Riverside College

The Leisure, Sport, Travel & Tourism Industry Award sponsored by Hartlepool Borough Council: Lisa Bradbury, Stockton Riverside College; Gary Smith, Middlesbrough College; Paul Nesbet, Darlington College of Technology; Deborah Ann Kelly, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Adam Theaker, Redcar & Cleveland College

The Health and Social Care Award sponsored by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust: Karen Robinson, Redcar & Cleveland College; Louise O'Toole, Stockton Riverside College; Angela Mannan, Middlesbrough College; Manake Ndebele, Hartlepool College of Further Education

The Business, Management and Professional Award sponsored by The Northern Echo: Rebecca Gustard, Darlington College of Technology; Simone Flender, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Graham Smales, Stockton Riverside College; Joanne Fryett, Middlesbrough College; Louise Sutherland, Redcar & Cleveland College

The Creative Arts Award sponsored by Saville Audio Visual: Emily Carter-Gibson, Darlington College of Technology; Jade Allison, Middlesbrough College; David Witney, Cleveland College of Art and Design; Tracy Gell, Redcar & Cleveland College; Daniel Todd, Stockton Riverside College

The Design and Media Industry Award sponsored by Niven Architects, Darlington: Richard Ellis, Darlington College of Technology; Maria Cooper, Cleveland College of Art and Design; Colin Cammiss, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Hazel Wanley, Middlesbrough College; Wayne Jones, Redcar & Cleveland College

The Academic Achievement Award sponsored by the University of Teesside: Craig Wilson, Cleveland College of Art and Design; David Hatton, Darlington College of Technology; Graeme Haran, Hartlepool College of Further Education; Claire Hazelwood, Middlesbrough College; Gary John Lightfoot, Redcar & Cleveland College; Claire Pearson, Stockton Riverside College

The Tees Valley Student of the Year Award sponsored by the Learning & Skills Council: To be selected from the above categories.