OUTSTANDING students from Bromsgrove and Redditch have picked up top awards from Heart of Worcestershire College.

More than 100 students from the college's four campuses - in Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester and Malvern - were presented with further education awards at ceremonies hosted at the Artrix in Bromsgrove and Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Among them were Ellis Laffan (correct), of the Bromsgrove and Redditch campuses, who was announced as "FE Student of the Year, and "Art and Design" Student of the Year for Bromsgrove, Rahimul (correct) Ali.

Rahimul said: "The award ceremony was great and I'm really pleased to have won my award.

"I've really enjoyed my Level 2 course and I'm looking forward to returning for the Level 3 course in September."

Other awards included "outstanding achievement", "employability" and "diligence".

The college's theme for the ceremonies was tourism and destinations, with guest speaker Oliver Carpenter, founder and chief executive of Jigsaw Marketing and tourism ambassador for Visit Worcestershire, giving an inspirational talk to students.

He spoke about his life, career, how he came to build his company and his successful management of festivals.

Stuart Laverick, principal and chief executive of the college said: "We are very proud of all of our learners and the achievements they've made both academically and personally throughout the last year.

"The further education awards recognise those students who have made a significantly positive impact on their teachers, peers, staff and the college as a whole.

"I'd like to once again congratulate each and every one of them on their success.