YOUNG cooks have been rewarded for their efforts after getting their teeth stuck into their studies.

Twenty awards were handed out at a ceremony at Darlington College of Technology to celebrate the achievements of school pupils.

More than 400 pupils from Darlington schools attended the college as part of a programme allowing them to experience courses ranging from catering to engineering.

The awards ceremony, held in the college's Oak Room restaurant, was to mark achievements in catering.

The Pre-16 Student of the Year was Victoria Mackenzie, of Carmel RC Technology College.

The 14-year-old said: "It has been great. I couldn't cook before but am much better now, though my family are still reluctant to let me in the kitchen. I was really shocked to win the award."