Yeovil College held its 20th annual further education awards ceremony where more than 50 students along with their families and friends celebrated their achievements.

Guest speaker and presenter of the awards and trophies was Yeovil Town FC manager Gary Johnson.

Guests of honour included the Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr Julian Freke, and the chairman of South Somerset District Council, Cllr Nigel Mermagen.

Opera singer Belinda Evans, a former Yeovil College student, made a special guest appearance and performed When You Wish Upon a Star and was accompanied by Guy Turner who played the piano.

College principal James Hampton said: "Events like this are the highlight of the year for me and I am sure for all my colleagues at the college.

"Your success and achievement really are what it is all about. Without this, we may just as well go home! Learning, as all of you know, can at times be frustrating, time-consuming, arduous activity, but it can also be fun, stimulating and highly rewarding."

Mr Hampton paid tribute to all students who completed their studies last year. Around 500 students went on to employment and 268 students went on to university.

"At Yeovil College last year there were more than 7,000 students who were successful in gaining qualifications," he said.

Gary Johnson said he was very happy to be a part of the evening celebrating the successes of so many students.

There were a wide range of awards including A-Level, outstanding achievement and part-time adult awards.

Special awards presented included the Fred Janes Award for the most outstanding contribution to college life which was presented to Angharad Armistead, of Yeovil. The Nicola Locke Award for the most outstanding personal achievement was presented to Rachel Chamberlain, of Yeovil, and the Stephanie Pirongs Award was presented to Clive Randall, of Glastonbury, of the most outstanding NVQ Business student.

For the second time the Lawrence Cove Shield for engineering excellence was presented to Richard Tucker from Merriott.