MID Cheshire College maintained its strong tradition of providing excellent opportunities in higher education during its fifth annual awards ceremony at the weekend.

The event celebrated the achievements of 108 students who had been successful in completing Higher National Certificates and diplomas over the past year in a number of areas - including design, business, engineering, childcare and education, computing and Information Technology.

Nearly 70 students from Northwich, and across England and Northern Ireland attended the ceremony, joined by families and friends and honoured guests including former chairman of governors Ian Bruce, MP Mike Hall, Deputy Mayor of Vale Royal Clr Nick Harris, and Anne Bingham-Holmes, Chief Executive of Vale Royal Borough Council.

Principal John Howard described the ceremony as a splendid occasion which was well attended and enjoyed by everyone.

He told the audience that enrolment on to courses at the college remained strong, despite the introduction of tuition fees for higher education courses and changes in the system of support grants, awards and loans.

He added: "It is important to celebrate achievements and today's ceremony we think contains the right balance of tradition and informality, and I hope that it proves to be an occasion you will remember and reflect on with justifiable pride."