AWARDS celebrating the achievements of a college's students were held on this week.

Bishop Auckland College's Annual College Awards night was held to reward and recognise the skills and talents of some of its star students.

Guest speaker at the event was Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo.

Joanna Tail, principal and chief executive, at the college, said: "It was a wonderful night. I would like to congratulate all who were nominated. It is always a great pleasure to come together and celebrate young people's achievements.

"I would also like to thank, on behalf of everyone there, guest speaker Peter Barron who gave a wonderful, funny and inspiring speech."

Employers nominated their young apprentices for the Apprentice of the Year 2005 category, including the following:

John Craig Buddin, Plumbing, Buston and Maughan Ltd, Crook; Christopher Burrell, Accounts, T and A Dixon Accountancy Services, Bishop Auckland; Kayleigh Donaghue, Hairdressing, Capricorn Hair Design, Crook; Jenni Dunn, Hairdressing Tangles, Shildon; Buster Fletcher, Joinery, Bowman Construction, Crook; Amanda Ford, Business, Teesdale Mercury, Barnard Castle; Scott Gaffney, Painting and Decorating, Cullen and Davies Decorators, High Etherley; Hannah Graham, Business Studies, Morgan Smith, Bishop Auckland; Keeley Jackson, Hairdressing, Barbers Studio, Bishop Auckland; Stacey Johnson, Hairdressing, De-Ville, Bishop Auckland; Abbie Kearton, Business Administration, The Shildon Health Clinic, Shildon; Freddie Lally, Joinery, B and F Complete Property Services, Wolsingham; Jonathan Lumley, Motor Vehicle, Pride & Joy Motors, Bishop Auckland; Ronnie Maughan, Joinery, Riverdale Homes, Barnard Castle; Craig MacLeod, Painting and Decorating, Turners Decorators, Bishop Auckland; Luke Moore, Motor Vehicle Refinishing, Bodywork Direct, Crook; Lucy Oliver, AAT Accounts, Mitchells Grievson, Bishop Auckland; Nicholas Rickaby, Plumbing, Acorn Plumbing and Heating, Heighington; Liam Ridley, Joinery, Armiger Joinery Ltd, Shildon; Michael Roe, Trowel Occupations, R and M Builders, Bishop Auckland; Florentina Shaw, AAT Accounts, Freeman Johnson, Darlington; Louisa Staples, Business Administration, CW Booth and Co, Bishop Auckland; Robert Teasdale, Painting and Decorating, Keith Teasdale Painter and Decorator, Bishop Auckland; Gemma Thompson, Hairdressing, Enhance Hairdressing, Shildon; Liam Wilkinson, Motor Vehicle, C and A Wilkinson and Sons Ltd, Bishop Auckland, Natasha Young, Hairdressing, Dimitri and Sylvia's, Newton Aycliffe.

Winner of Apprentice of the Year 2005: Luke Moore, 16, from Howden-le-Wear - Bodywork Direct

Lecturers and support staff at the college nominated students for the following categories:

Outstanding Commitment to Study

Outstanding Academic Achievement

Outstanding Group Award

School Links Award

Vi Handley Award for Caring and Consideration of Others

Volunteering Award

100 per cent Attendance

Target Group Award

The nominees were:

A-levels: Michelle Clarkson, Joanne Corner; Art and Design: Alex Voy; Beauty Therapy: Emma Toas; Business: Chris Burrell; Catering and Hospitality: Jason Walton; Childcare: Charlotte Walton; Construction: John Vayro; Foundation Studies: Christopher Walker; Hairdressing: Leanne Grant, Gary Shaw, Samantha Louise Baker, Sarah Louise Henderson; Health and Social Care: Lisa Bell; ICT:

Toni Alderson, David Moses; Key Skills: Michael Forster; Motor Vehicle: Gary Tallentire; Music: Claire Modrate, Dean Parker, Ashley Raine; Sport and Outdoor Activities: Matthew Brown, Jamie Thompson, Emma Nicholson, Mark Robinson; Travel and Tourism: Jane Wilkinson; Uniform Services: Rebecca Bowman.