Students from Thurrock and Basildon College were at the Grays campus recently for their prize giving dinner.

The event was held in the Riverview Restaurant at the Woodview site, to mark the achievements of the last students to graduate from Thurrock College before its merger with Basildon.

Scott Clarke, of the School of Catering and Community Studies, was named Student of the Year.

Scott, who lives in Grays undertook work-based learning in retail studies, working at Woolworths.

On finishing his studies the company employed him full time at its West Thurrock warehouse, the largest in the country.

Runner-up was Cherrie-Anne Carrington, who spent four years at the college in the School of Management and Professional Studies.

Gurgharan Singh was named student of the year in the School of Art and Design, after graduating while using sign language as his first language and English as his second.

A college spokesman said: "He is a student with very special support needs who was able to succeed in a mainstream college through excellent support of the teachers and communicators."

Irenie Doukas took the honour in Business and Information Studies, and Leslie Brace was named the School of Engineering's top student.

Grace Nauth and Antonio Siciliani were award winners in Hairdressing, Sport and Beauty Therapies and Motor Vehicle and Carpentry Studies respectively.

Lucy Bevan was named Learning Support student of the year. Lucy, who is dyslexic, is now studying for a degree at the London Institute of Fashion, having graduated with the support of college staff.

Aaron Cootes was named pre-16 student of the year.

Published Friday December 28, 2001