The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has honoured five students at its annual Learning and Skills Awards ceremony.

From 47,000 registered students, 22 were chosen to attend the evening, which was sponsored by Automotive Advantage.

“This year’s awards attracted a record number of more than 100 nominations, showing the increasing value of recognizing achievement,” says Alan Mackrill, director of learning and skills at IMI.

Sally Graham, technician at the Porsche Centre, Reading, won the hotly-contested outstanding technical student (light vehicle) award, while Graham Noaks, a senior technician at Sytner BMW, Harold Wood, won the outstanding management student category.

Ben Betterton, body technician at LEX Emergency Services, Northolt, was awarded with the outstanding technical student (body and paint) prize, Daniel Coxhill, parts apprentice at Harwood Jaguar, Chichester, won the outstanding student in a non-technical discipline and John Seatherton, who attends North Devon College, won young student of the year.

Each prize winner was awarded with a glass trophy, a framed certificate and a cheque for £200.