A PRIESTLEY College sixth form pupil from Appleton has been selected as one of the UK's outstanding students following her academic achievements and contribution to the town.

The college's council president Holly Roach, 17, was honoured at a ceremony staged by Pure Potential and financial services firm UBS.

The honour recognised her achievements in education, as well as the contribution she makes in Warrington, including as a young leader with the Brownies, involvement with the Scouts and as a Kumon maths and English teaching assistant.

For Holly, who achieved three As and a B in her AS-level exams, volunteering is a family tradition dating back to her great, great grandad Evelyn Roach – one of the early Scout leaders.

"We have pictures of my great, great grandad when he organised a scout camp on a train that went through England and Scotland," said Holly.

"I hadn't realised before but maybe the volunteering side of my life can be traced all the way back to him."

Teachers, parents and peers nominated almost 300 young people in state education to be considered for one of 50 outstanding student awards.

Holly was nominated by Mark Salmon, a senior tutor at Priestley College, and attended a ceremony and workshop in London where she also met staff from UBS.

Judges had been impressed with the time the former Bridgewater High School pupil dedicates to 5th Appleton St Matthew's Brownies where she has helped for three years.

"I went to the same Brownie group and there was an older girl there who I always looked up to so I wanted to do the same for the younger brownies," she added.

Through her work as a teaching assistant Holly helps pupils aged between two and 18.

But she is still finding time to focus on her biology, chemistry and maths A-levels, as well as the college's extended project.

She also has to fit in 30 minutes exercise every day to help her cope with scoliosis, a condition which causes her spine to bend to the side.

"We are so proud of Holly and all that she has achieved so far," said college principal Matthew Grant.

"She is a credit to her family, college and to Warrington, as well as a great role model for her peers."