A total of 23 Alton College students received a Scholarship for Excellence from the Alton College Foundation during its awards ceremony at the college on March 8.

Attended by students, families and staff, plus individuals, businesses and charities which support the foundation and fund scholarships, it celebrated their achievements.

Scholarships were awarded in 18 subjects including mathematics, law, engineering, science and English literature. A Scholarship for Excellence in Creative Writing was awarded to Isabel Warwick in memory of Nicky Branch. Funded by The Alton Society, it was the 400th scholarship awarded by the foundation.

Foundation managing director Trevor Heley said: “It is fitting that our 400th scholarship has been awarded in memory of Nicky, who was a huge supporter of both the foundation and The Alton Society.

“Two of the scholars Nicky sponsored back in 2012 and 2013 came back to speak and present two of the scholarships this year.”