A TALENTED student has become his college’s first pupil to win a Royal Forestry Society award.

Thomas Stevens, 19, from Spennymoor, has won the society’s Silky Fox Handsaws Award.

The East Durham College student is studying for an Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture.

The award will be given annually to the student who shows outstanding performance on forestry and arboriculture courses.

Students at 21 colleges throughout Wales and England are in the running for the Silky Fox competition.

Mr Stevens was given a year’s membership to the Royal Forestry Society and a Silky Gomtaro 300mm pruning saw.

Joe Shipley, East Durham College arboriculture lecturer, said: "Thomas has been a superb student during his two years with us.

"He has been strong both academically and practically; however, above all he has made a positive contribution to his course and to the department as a whole.

"Thomas has always been willing to assist others which is a quality we try to instil in all our arboriculture students."