A STUDENT who has been attending Lowestoft College since he was 14 has scooped The Journal's Student of the Year accolade.Josh Dores, now 18, first completed the pre-16 programme in motor vehicle maintenance and after he left school enrolled on a full time course.

A STUDENT who has been attending Lowestoft College since he was 14 has scooped The Journal's Student of the Year accolade.

Josh Dores, now 18, first completed the pre-16 programme in motor vehicle maintenance and after he left school enrolled on a full time course.

And during the college's Celebration of Student Achievement awards on Tuesday evening, sponsored by the newspaper, he was picked for the top award for his dedication to his goals.

Nominated by Neil Fletcher and the motor vehicle team, Josh hopes to return to the college in St Peter's Street, in September, to begin the level three course in motor vehicle maintenance and repair, having completed levels one and two.

As one of 20 shortlisted candidates, who each all received a certificate, Josh, who lives in Kessingland, said he was shocked to have been chosen.

“I was surprised, but it was really good to win. I popped round to see my nan afterwards and she was really excited. I've always been into dismantling things and putting them back together and the level three course will be more involved working with clutches, gear boxes and diagnostics, but I enjoy all aspects of it.”

Josh is currently employed at T and J Commercial Repairs, in Pinbush Road, on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate, where he spends most of his time when he isn't at college.

Earlier in the evening Bob Mee, chair of the college corporation gave a welcome to those attending the event at the Hotel Victoria, in Lowestoft, followed by an acoustic guitar performance from Graham Bradford, and principal Gwen Parsons spoke of all the college achievements over the past year.

She said all 20 shortlisted students selected had done so well because they are exceptionally gifted in their chosen field or proved to be exceptional in the way in which they have achieved success in difficult circumstances.

She also spoke of the success of the college in the past year from their partnership in University Campus Suffolk, networking with the high schools and course areas that have achieved success.

Guest speaker was Rosalind Turner, director of children, schools and young people at Suffolk County Council, who said it was fantastic to see such success.

The vote of thanks was given by student Kelly Pasquette before the Lowestoft Waveney Chamber of Commerce Award was presented to Emma Barnard for her work on the Lowestoft Energy Challenge.

For the first year the Lowestoft College Football Team were presented with an award from former England and Ipswich Town striker Trevor Whymark for winning the first ever British Colleges Sport Ability Counts (East Region) Football League.

They played nine games, losing just one match and scored 78 goals, with a total of 18 students involved in the squad.

Anthony Wilson, Justin Jacob, Sam Hagger and Martin Busby, who was the top goal scorer, were there to pick up the trophy.

This year's alumnus award was given to Michelle Foster, who has gone onto working at East Central Studios, in London, a design consultancy dealing with colour and trend predictions for a wide range of companies.

She has now decided to spend half her week back in Lowestoft and is currently teaching at Poplars Primary School and organising community arts projects.