STUDENTS of all ages gathered in the presence of VIPs for Swindon College's annual prizegiving.

A total of 130 learners of all disciplines and backgrounds were present, from teenagers to pensioners.

Swindon mayor David Cox and North Swindon MP Michael Wills were among those who attended the ceremony.

Mr Wills was guest speaker and presented the prizes.

College principal Mike Hopkins said: "This is what further education colleges are all about providing the opportunities for people who then make the most of those opportunities."

The winners included Swindon father of three Ken Leather, 49, who received the Clive Brain Memorial Award and the award for best overall student in academic studies.

Mr Leather, who left school at 18 having received poor A-level results, worked for many years for BT.

Having taken access courses at the college, he is to begin reading English and history at Oxford University in the autumn. His advice to other mature people considering resuming their studies was simple: "Just go for it!"

At the other end of the age scale was 19-year-old Harry Ead, from Wanborough, who received the college's new award for excellence and innovation, as well as the prize for 2D design. Having graduated from the college with a National Diploma in graphic design, he is studying for a degree in information graphics at the University of Westminster, and hopes eventually to move into advertising.