PRAISE has been heaped upon the winners of student awards by their tutors at Evesham College.

Nick Howe and Sue Nutting collected their prizes for Student of the Year and the Return to Learn Student of the year respectively at Evesham College last Thursday.

Nick, from Worcester, had two brain tumours, which left him with speech difficulties and other disabilities.

He also lost the use of his right hand.

He is now studying a program with computer studies, healthy living, living with a brain injury, and art and music appreciation.

Nick's tutor Lesley Kewley said: "Everybody here is thrilled for him because he copes with what he's had to face with a lot of fortitude and humour, he is something quite special."

Sue Nutting, aged 42, from Station Road, Pershore, has been helping out at the college's student support services section, has two children and helps out with forest schools.

Yet she still found time to complete a BTEC Higher National Certificate in health and social studies, a one-day a week course, which lasted from 10am to 7.30pm!

She is now doing a two plus two degree in early childhood studies, the first two years of which she will complete at the college before going on to Warwick University.

Not content with that, she is also doing a 730 teaching certificate, which will enable her to teach at the college.

Sue said: "It was such a surprise, but a lot of it is down to support and advice from the staff."

Jackie Stringer, section manager for health and social care, said: "She won the award because she has a great sense of humour and she's got such a positive approach to everything.

"She achieved a merit grade which was exceptional and I am delighted that she is going on to do a degree.

She is just fantastic."