STUDENTS at Bishop Auckland College were recognised for their achievements during a ceremony last week.

About 140 people attended the annual event at the college on Thursday night where Tom Crompton, executive director of County Durham Learning and Skills Council, was the guest speaker.

The ceremony rewarded full-time teenage students for everything from outstanding academic achievement, commitment to study, hairdressing, and caring and consideration for others.

College principal Joanna Tait said: "The success and achievement of our full-time 16 to 19-year-old students is one of the most important events on the college calendar.

"Celebrating students' hard work and commitment to study, and their dedication, is always a proud moment for students, staff and college governors."

Winners included childcare student Diane Thompson, 18, from Coundon, was the winner of the outstanding commitment to study award. Catering student Stewart Wilkinson, 19, from Spennymoor won the Vi Handley Award for caring and consideration of others.

Other winners were:

School Link Award: Parkside Comprehensive School pupil Gemma Burnham, 15, from Crook.

Apprentice of the Year Award: IT apprentice Jonathan Holmes 20, from Spennymoor.

Overall winner of Outstanding Group Award: network challenge group - Nicola Hamilton, Stuart Hope, Maria Jackson, Andrew Saunders, Steven Sowerby, Leanne Stewart, Dale Thompson, John Williams, Kevin Wilson.

Outstanding Academic Achievement: Joanne Corner, Emma Cooper, Shaun Hutchinson, Gemma McCullock and Stephen Hansen.

Outstanding Commitment to Study: Adam Keen, David Law, Gordon Parker, Cheryl-Anne Wooff, Amanda Huntingdon, Diane Thompson, Stacey Collinson, Kimberly Dodd, Natalie McDonnell, Sabrina Parker, Zoe Taylor, Martin Appleby, Leanne Stewart, Stuart Hope, Andrew Inwood, Kara Taylor, Craig Bainbridge, Craig Watson.

Vi Handley Award for Caring and Consideration of Others: Victoria Clark, Stewart Wilkinson, Lisa Waterhouse, William Kirkbride.