A FRESHERS programme proved fruitful for a student when he picked up a musical prize.

Croft student Chris Appleton, who studies at Warrington Collegiate, not only found himself playing bingo when he enrolled on a multi-media diploma course but he also picked up an i-Pod for his efforts.

The 18-year-old, from Deacons Close, was awarded the latest music player by college principal Paul Hafren and deputy principal Rosalie Barton.

He picked up the prize for winning the bingo word match game during an innovative student induction programme - designed to put new starters at ease in the first days of their new courses.

The former Culcheth High School pupil said: "It's early days but it seems like a good course and I'm enjoying life at the collegiate."

Collegiate staff are also planning a Freshers' Ball, complete with a rock band made up of performing arts lecturers, to help newcomers feel at home.