STUDENTS were urged to live life to the full by a dental practitioner at a celebration event to honour academic success.

Dentist Simon Stretton-Downes was guest of honour at Northallerton School and Sixth Form College’s annual celebration of achievement which recognises pupils who have excelled through hard work, commitment to their studies and volunteering within the local community.

Mr Stretton-Downes has worked in general dental practice, as a civilian dentist with the Army and for nine years as a dentist in Ethiopia with a Christian mission.

He told the pupils at the gathering: “All young people are different, you need to work out what is right for you, follow your dreams and learn from others. It won’t always be easy and things won’t always go the way you want them to.

“Don’t look back with regrets – you only have one life so live it to the full.”