PUPILS at a Darlington school reaped the rewards of their hard work at a prize-giving evening.

Executive director of the Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley, Pam Eccles, was guest of honour at Carmel RC Technology College's prizegiving evening.

Students who sat their GCE A-levels earlier this year returned to Carmel from universities and their jobs to receive their examination certificates from Mrs Eccles.

Some also received subject prizes for outstanding achievement.

This year's GCSE pupils were also presented with certificates and prizes.

Darlington Mayor Councillor Ron Lewis, Mayoress Margaret Lewis, governors, staff, and parents also attended the event.

The results for Carmel College this year, at 74 per cent passing with A* to C grades at GCSE and a 98 per cent pass rate at A-level, were the best ever for the school. Among those receiving awards were:

Technocopy Prize for best GCSE results achieved by students in Carmel Sixth Form: David Trenholme and Rebecca Murphy.

Sixth Form Prizes: The Almit Science Award for Biology, Helen Green; The Almit Science Award for Chemistry, Francesca Denham; The Almit Science Award for Physics, Nicholas Hamilton; A-level geography prize sponsored by Alpha Radio 103.2, Kayley Hunter; Barclays Mathematics Award, Rebecca Allen; Religious Studies Award, Anna McLean; the History Prize, Emma Hall.

The Curtis Office Furniture Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Art, Laura Leith; Tees Valley in Business Award for Excellence in Technology, Barry Dinsdale; Sports Studies Trophy, Michael Lyons; the James Corr Prize for Best A-level Results, Hollie Robson-Marchant; Psychology Prize, Hollie Robson-Marchant; the John Caden Cup for the student who made the greatest contribution to the life of the college, Andrew McKenzie.