STUDENTS from across Pershore College were presented with certificates and awards at a celebration at Pershore Abbey.

The students who studied courses including horticulture, arboriculture, animal welfare and veterinary nursing were presented with their certificates and awards by Pershore College director Helen Kinghorn.

Special awards were also given out for outstanding achievement.

David Hodgson presented Richard Moore with the Percy Picton Memorial Fund Prize for the student producing the best dissertation.

Ken Corrigan presented two awards on behalf of Pershore Rotary Club with the club's award for student achievement given jointly to Kerry Reho and Emma Howard.

Tom Adamson received the Richard Martyr Memorial Award for the student who shows a high level of service to the community.

Matthew Maslin was also presented with the Federation of Small Businesses Further Education Enterprise Award. Matthew, 18, from Fernhill Heath has just completed his Level 3 Horticulture qualification, but already runs his own business in Worcester, Maslin’s Gardens.

As well as his certificate and award, Matthew received a prize of £150.

He said: “I’m really pleased to receive this award and money as I’m looking to buy a pick-up truck which will help me expand my business more.

"I’ve already been running it alongside my studies, but will now be doing it full time.

"I offer landscaping, lawn care and arboriculture and my college course has really taught me a lot, especially this last year.”