Bishop Auckland College has acknowledged the outstanding achievements of its students at an awards ceremony.

Individual and group winners were presented with prizes by Nick Brewster, director of curriculum enterprise, accompanied by guest speaker Denise Bolton, who is co-ordinator of the adult learning workshop.

The outstanding group was Health and Social Care AVCE, made up of Sarah Black, Natalie Pratt, Andrea Slack, Laura Thompson, Leigh Trembath, Kimberley Vickers and Emma Walker.

They organised a reunion for retired members of staff in their first year and showed good teamwork, during the two-year course.

Tony Ferguson, who studied art and design, was the outstanding academic achiever. He specialised in photography, doing extra work and helping other students on his days off.

Gillian Brown showed outstanding commitment to study after enrolling on an Intermediate Leisure and Tourism course, before progressing to the Btec National Diploma in Sports Science.

Christine Williams was the outstanding community learner. She turned her life around after an accident 11 years ago and has worked hard at computing and information technology.

Leisure and tourism student Michael Lee Taylor, 17, won the Vi Handley Award for Caring in the Community. He took part in every event organised by Student Support, raised money for the Butterwick Hospice and supported Investors in Children, the college's open evening and the student council.

College principal Joanna Tait said: "This year's nominees were all of a very high standard and we are very proud to have such committed and caring students."