STAR pupils who bowled over teachers with their feats of generosity and endurance have spoken of their delight after they were honoured for their efforts.

A group of high-achieving teenagers at the Stanway School were presented with Jack Petchey awards recognising their hard work and tenacity.

Charlotte Smith, Lily Waterson and Melissa Chapman each received £250 to put towards a department of their choice.

Lily Waterson, 16, left headteacher Jonathan Bland stunned when she managed to climb the three highest peaks in Great Britain in under 24 hours with her father.

The Three Peak Challenge is not for the faint-hearted, but Lily, from Fordham, was determined to best her proud dad's previous efforts and tackle each mountain in record time.

She managed to reach the summit of Ben Nevis, at 4,411ft above sea level, in just three hours and 44 minutes.

"Although Scafell Pike is the smallest of the three, it was the steepest and the most difficult," she said.

"It was so damp, the rain was lashing down and I was left soaked.

"I am really proud of it and want to do it again and beat my time - and raise money for charity."

Lily is a keen athlete and donated her award to the PE department.

For Year 9 pupil Charlotte Smith, winning an award was never in her mind when she decided to support her father's efforts in the London Marathon.

The 13-year-old held numerous fundraising events in her home village of Layer, including a football match, barbecue and raffle.

She was left staggered by the response, raising more than £2,000 to help Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia and Coloboma Support, a charity in aid of children born without eyes or underdeveloped eyes.

She said: "My dad had seen something about MACS and we thought it would be a good charity to support and raise awareness for.

"I am overwhelmed by the support and was so surprised to receive the award."

Melissa Chapman, 14, was nominated for the award by numerous members of staff and students, who paid tribute to the "immense" amount of charity work she has undertaken.

Together with a friend, kind-hearted Melissa, from Stanway, braved the shave and had her hair cut off to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Hoping to raise £300, staff and pupils were inspired by her efforts and donated £1,600 to the cause.

She also donated her locks for wigs to be used by those who have lost hair through cancer treatment.

She said: "It was my house charity and I really wanted to do something to help.

"I set up a little donation page and I can't believe how much it raised

"It was really nice to get the award, when I got home my mum was so proud."

Charlotte and Melissa share a love of the stage and both donated their awards to the Drama department, which will spend the cash on new lighting.

Mr Bland said: "We are extremely proud of their achievements, we have so many pupils who work very hard and display and excellent attitude inside and outside of school it was very hard to choose just three."