IT was a night of celebration for the city's future talent.

Students and staff at City College were rewarded for their hard work at a glittering awards ceremony at the St Mary's Street venue.

And the Daily Echo proudly sponsored one of the prizes - with one winner walking away with the Daily Echo Achievement Award for photography.

More than 40 students were honoured including three students who picked up special awards for outstanding effort and commitment.

The Sheriff of Southampton, Councillor Stephen Barnes-Andrews presented Festival of Learning’s prestigious Young Adult Learner Award to HNC engineering student Ahmed Haji who was selected as the 2017 winner for the London and South East region.

Two local businesses, J&B Hopkins and Oyster Yachts, were honoured with employer recognition awards for their commitment to the training and personal development of their workforce as well as the support they have given to City College students.

And six members of staff picked up awards for their excellent teaching, exceptional support of students and going above and beyond their responsibilities.

City College Principal, Sarah Stannard, said: “Recognising the achievements of our students is extremely important to us. We are immensely proud of all our students and last night proves that Southampton and the Solent area has many stars in its midst, who have gone the extra mile to succeed.

“This year’s award winners have achieved success in many ways, and I would like to congratulate them all.”

Adult student of the year award winner Diana Buckell said: “I had an overwhelming sense of pride collecting my award and I am bursting with excitement to take the award home to show my family.”

And the awards evening gave current students a chance to showcase their skills to the audience by running the event. HNC performing art students, Dakota White and Amber Wells, also took to the stage to read the award citations.

Student roll of honour:

The Santander Achievement Award

Liam Prince - Access to Higher Education (Social Sciences)

The RSM UK Audit Recognition Award

Montanna Lockwood - Level 2 Certificate in Accounting

The Blue Chip Recognition Award

Rhiannon Hirst - Advanced Apprenticeship in IT

The Hambleside Merchandise Achievement Award

Christiana Lacatos - Level 3 Diploma in Business

The Sunrise Nursery Achievement Award

Diana Buckell - Foundation Degree in Early Years Care and Education

The Oxygen Freejumping Recognition Award

Kiran Pardesi - Level 2 Certificate in an Introduction to Early Years Education and Care

The University of Southampton Achievement Award

Soraya Rahimi - Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

The NIC Services Recognition Award

Ben Willis - Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care

The Total Projects Recognition Award

Ryan Chalk - Apprenticeship in Site Carpentry

The Draper Tools Recognition Award

Harry Cross - Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry

The Total Projects Recognition Award

Reece Paget-Lowe - Level 1 Diploma in Construction Skills

The Detect Fire & Security Recognition Award

Cerys Thrower - Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating

The Santander Achievement Award

Jane Gordon - BA (Hons) in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy

The Capital FM South Coast Achievement Award

William Aston - Level 3 Diploma in Media (TV & Film)

The Southampton Solent University Recognition Award

Katie Avery - Level 3 Diploma in Media (Games Design)

The Hollywood Bowl Achievement Award

Nusrat Bah - Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts

The Signs Express Achievement Award

Leon Clements-Beall - Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design

The Southern Daily Echo Achievement Award

Esther Collier - HND in Photography

The Mayflower Theatre Recognition Award

Milo Panero - Level 3 Diploma in Production Arts

The Total Projects Achievement Award

Elliott Abbott - Advanced Apprenticeship in Construction Contracting

The Draper Tools Achievement Award

Joe Cross – Level 3 Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

The Vertical Leap Achievement Award

Nam Hoang - ESOL

The NIC Services Recognition Award

Sandra Chacha - ESOL Skills for Life

The Hampshire Constabulary Recognition Award

Terry Coombs - City Horizons Vocational Studies

The Inline AV Recognition Award

Luke Lawrence - City Horizons Vocational Studies

The Heart FM Recognition Award

Victoria Ellis - Level 2 Diploma in Barbering

The Kudos Beauty Salon Recognition Award

Maddison Hatch-Bundy - Level 2 Diploma in Beauty Therapy

The Salonwear Recognition Award

Chloe Jones - Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Beauty and Spa Therapy

The Salon Supplies Recognition Award

Pauline Lane - Level 3 Diploma in Hair Services

The Avalon Printing Recognition Award

Natalia Maciejewska - Level 1 in Hair and Beauty

The Kudos Hair Salon Recognition Award

Riley Smith - Level 2 Diploma in Barbering

The Catering Academy Recognition Award

Trixieanne Lanaghan - Level 1 Certificate in an Introduction to Culinary Skills

The Russums Achievement Award

Paulina Mikolajczyk - Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery

The Tom Demuth Marine Apprentice Award, supported by Kevin Hunt

Casey Keenan - Advanced Apprenticeship in Marine Engineering

The Marine Skills Centre Recognition Award

Maciek Lacke - Level 2 in Marine Engineering

The Bluestar Recognition Award

Lewis O'Brien - Apprenticeship in Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

The Shine On Window Cleaning Recognition Award

James Temperley - Apprenticeship in Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

The A&A Business Supplies Recognition Award

Lauren Cousens - Extended Certificate in Life and Living Skills

The Santander Achievement Award

Helen Gilleland - Functional Skills in Maths, English & ICT

The Kestrel Guards Recognition Award

Katie Grayson - Level 2 Diploma in Sport

The Voice FM Recognition Award

Samantha Blackman - Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

The Southampton Solent University Recognition Award

Johanna McNamara - Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism

Staff roll of honour:

Excellence in Teaching Award

Steve Riggs – Wood Trades Tutor

Excellence in Business Support Award

Elaine Fraser – Payroll Adviser

Enhancing Student Experience Award

Sam Dabreo – Student Advisor

Incredible Colleague Awards

Richard Raiman – MIS System Support Officer

Sue Slader – Student Records Faculty Adviser

Student Voice Teacher Award

Rosie Collantine – Early Years Tutor

Special student award winners were:

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Draper Tools

Joe Cross

Adult Student of the Year, sponsored by First Bus

Diana Buckell

Young Student of the Year, sponsored by Southampton City Council

Leon Clements Beall