TWENTY exceptional Lowestoft College students were honoured on Tuesday night as the eighth annual Celebration of Achievement was held at the town's Hotel Victoria.

TWENTY exceptional Lowestoft College students were honoured on Tuesday night as the eighth annual Celebration of Achievement was held at the town's Hotel Victoria.

The awards, sponsored by The Journal, recognise the achievements of some of the college's hardest working students, each with their own individual inspirational story.

They had been selected for praise from around 5,000 students by their tutors and each was given a certificate and voucher in honour of their hard work and dedication.

Jane Hore, vice chairman of college corporation, said: 'Each one is outstanding in their own right, each with a very interesting story to tell.'

Amongst those nominated were Tom Pattison, who was offered an apprenticeship at Peter Grubb's garage after impressing the owner through The Yard Project; Laura Morgan, who won this year's adult Big Skills Award in Suffolk; and Francesca Durrant, who was highly commended in the 17-19 Learner Category of the Big Skills Awards.

Principal Gwen Parsons said: 'Tonight you are in the spotlight. Be very proud of what you have achieved so far. I hope that you will continue throughout your lives to make an impression on those with whom you come into contact.'

Each student was presented with their award by Ms Hore and former Lowestoft College student and Masterchef finalist Chris Gates, before the overall winner of the Student Achievement of the Year award was announced.

Danielle Dallas, of Lorne Road, Lowestoft, was crowned as this year's winner after being praised for her great commitment.

The 19-year-old NVQ2 student of children's care, learning and development was described as an inspiration to others on the course, after completing her course seven months early.

Danielle was only halfway through it when she became pregnant, but with a desire to finish, she worked for hours every night to complete it before she gave birth to her son Keagan Hoque, in January.

Tutor Sandra Wilson-Sutter said: 'She never ever used her personal life as an excuse not to do college work. She is polite, keen, friendly, and her determination was an inspiration to others.'

Thanking her tutors Ms Wilson-Sutter and Carol Logan, and assessor Amanda Stephens, Danielle said: 'It's great. I didn't expect this at all as when Sandra said she'd nominated me I was really shocked.'

Also on the night, electrotechnical installation level three student Anthony Ablett, from Beccles, was crowned as the winner of the Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce Presidents Award for Enterprise for his dedication and commitment.

In an unprecedented move Chris Gates and Jennifer Langeskov were both presented with a Lowestoft College Alumnus Award, while the quality standards co-ordinator at the college, Johanna Reeve, and head of quality and workforce development Ruth Harrison accepted a Customer Service Excellence Award on behalf of the college, which was accompanied by a letter of congratulations from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.