HIGH-ACHIEVING students from Ellesmere Port celebrated prizes for exceptional performance at West Cheshire College’s annual Freemen and Guilds Awards Evening.

The prizes, given out to 15 students from the college, recognise the hard work and achievement of students working in industry and commerce in the North West.

Emily Williams, 18, from Ellesmere Port, won the Cappers, Pinners, Wierdrawers & Linendrapers award for her hard work and dedication during her BTEC diploma in engineering level 3.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to be an engineer and I thought the best place to start my training was at West Cheshire College. I’ve learned so much from doing the course as you get a lot of hands-on experience.

“I’ve finished my Level 3 and have stayed on at the college to do a pre-apprenticeship course to get more practical experience, as this is what employers look for.

“My career goal is to either work as an aircraft technician in the Royal Air Force or in the Navy as a weapon technician.

“I’m really overwhelmed to have won this award, I didn’t expect it at all but it’s great that all of my hard work has paid off to be recognised for this.”

Amy Lyth, 20, from Ellesmere Port, won the Barber Surgeons, Wax and Tallow Chandlers Co award.

Amy said: “I’m really shocked but happy to have won this award. I did an apprenticeship in hairdressing as it was something I was interested in doing. The more experience I got the more I enjoyed it.

“I worked at a salon during my apprenticeship and as soon as the apprenticeship finished they offered me a full-time job.”

West Cheshire College principal Sara Mogel, who presented the awards, said: “The Freemen and Guilds Awards are one of the highlights of the college’s calendar and it is important to keep their tradition alive as well as recognise the students who have worked so hard.”

For more information, call the college on 01244 656 555 or visit www.west-cheshire.ac.uk.