University students on summer placements have been presented with awards for their achievements working with local firms.

The eight-week Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP) places students in their penultimate year within local companies.

They work on specific projects, with financial rewards for high achievers.

The overall winner, Barry Jones, from Ross-On-Wye, netted £250 for his project to improve productivity and reduce waste at Door panels plc, Upton-upon-Severn.

Runner-up Anna Powell, from Pershore, was awarded £100 for her project at Group 4 Securitas Training Ltd, of Broadway.

Malvern's Jonathan Risk also won a £50 discretionary cheque for his work on an IT-based system for car parts manufacture in Barton Cold-Form, Droitwich.

Janet Owen, STEP co-ordinator, said: "The students have done exceptionally well this year. They will leave the programme being able to demonstrate to potential employers that they have skills and experience required by the post- academic world."

A total of 1500 students were placed on the scheme, with 14 local students gaining certificates. They included Mark Felgate, of Malvern, who worked at the Malvern Hills Science Park, and Iain Barr, from Malvern, who worked at Haygrove Tunnels in Ledbury.