By PAT GILL BOLTON

MORE than 200 students at Warrington Collegiate Institute received awards at a ceremony at the Parr Hall.

Fellowships were conferred on Martin Dawes, founder and chairman of several Warrington companies, and Liverpool and England footballer Roger Hunt.

Students and guests were welcomed by the chairman of the Collegiate corporation, Colin Daniels, and principal Hilary Tucker outlined the year's achievements and successes.

Special awards were presented to several students.

Paul Melia, an HND business student who has a hearing impairment, was the first student to gain direct entry on to level three of the Manchester University business degree. Paul received the Harry Cunningham Special Achievement Award.

Two information technology students won the first Phil Callaghan Memorial Award, commemorating teacher Phil Callaghan who died last year. They were Christopher Marsh, a former student of Phil, who completed his GNVQ advanced IT course at the Collegiate and has moved on to a degree course at John Moores University, and John Garner, who is currently studying HNC business information technology at the Collegiate.

The Business Centre Award went to Sandra McGough, who gained an HNC business qualification with merits and distinctions in spite of losing time at the Collegiate through a serious illness. Sandra got through her exams by displaying stamina and determination.

The Faculty of HE Award was won by Joanne Holdbrook, who completed HND leisure studies with merits and distinctions. Joanne has been accepted on to the third year of Manchester University's BA leisure and business degree, based at the Padgate Campus. She pulled round her studies in spite of her early grades dipping through personal circumstances.

The Design Centre Award went to Robert Stephens, who gained merits and distinctions in his HNC building studies.

Robert studied at the Collegiate for seven years, doing a three-year apprenticeship and achieving a national certificate and an HNC qualification.

Robert was an "outstanding role model" to fellow students. He is now studying part-time at John Moores University and working for Warrington Borough Council in building maintenance.

Company Plus Awards went to Shaun Doherty and Elaine Hughes. Shaun, who gained a certificate in management, was also recognised as a model student for his enthusiasm and for taking learning into the workplace. He has been seconded for seven months to set up a warehousing operation.

Elaine, who gained a post graduate diploma in marketing, works in marketing and kept up her studies while in China, faxing back assignments.