A PROFOUNDLY deaf girl and a family man who combines study with full-time employment were honoured at a student award night.

Sarah Levitt, 21, of Hartlepool, and Dale Clarke, 35, of Thirsk were two of the winners at Hartlepool College of Further Education awards night.

Dale was chosen for more than 6,000 students to be crowned Student of the Year 2000.

He has balanced the demands of a job as principal estates officer at Hartlepool Bororough Council with working towards a diploma in management studies, and having a family.

Sarah, who has been deaf since birth, was helped with her business and finance studies by her classmates who all learnt sign language so they could communicate with her.

Sarah, who is now at the University of Teesside, has never been in a mainstream class before attending the college, but was so successful she was awarded with the student of the year for business and finance.

She said: "I am very pleased to be get the award and I would like to thank all my teachers and classmates."

Other awards were presented by the Mayor of Hartlepool, Frank Rogers, to students in all disciplines at the college.

Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson helped present awards at the ceremony on Thursday night