Gamekeeping students Ellie Fatherly and Tessa Moon have had their hard work and dedication recognised at Wiltshire College Lackham’s annual awards ceremony.

Ellie, 19, from Bromham, is a second year student on the Level Three Gamekeeping and Fisheries course and was awarded the Bright Seeds award for Best Overall student in her year group.

Countryside management student, Tessa, 17, won the Ted Culling Cup for Best Overall Student in first year.

Richard Leach, agent for Salisbury-based Bright Seeds and Marriages Game Feed, presented the girls with their Bright Seeds awards with Ellie also receiving a David Nickerson cartridge bag while Tessa won a pair of leather shooting gloves.

Ellie said: “We are both really pleased to have won the awards this year, it was a complete shock.

“We have enjoyed this year at Lackham and are looking forward to our future in the gamekeeping industry.”

Bright Seeds has been sponsoring the Wiltshire College award since 2010, as well as sponsoring the annual Lackham Shoot which is managed and run by the gamekeeping students at Lackham.

Mr Leach said: “College students such as those here at Lackham are our future. The experiences that students receive here is vitally important to help them become the keepers and farm managers of the future, and we are proud to be able to support the fantastic work that goes on here.

“I am more than delighted to be here to congratulate Ellie on her successes this past year and present her with her prize on behalf of Bright Seeds.”

Tutor and Curriculum Manager Liam Stokes said he was delighted for both students.

He said: “I am so pleased for Tessa and Ellie, it is just fantastic that both winners this year are females, it highlights just how inclusive not only our course is but also the industry.

“It was not easy to pick this year’s winners as we have two very strong groups however with the hard work and commitment to the course, and the Lackham Shoot, that both Ellie and Tessa have shown, it was a unanimous decision in the end.

“They are strong all-round gamekeepers and very worthy winners, we are all very proud of them.”