THREE Barry students have been recognised for their work and dedication at a ceremony honouring adult learners.

Jordan Leach, 29; Mark Rees, 46 and Lydia Evans, 29, all attend Cardiff and Vale college and were presented awards by Vale AM Jane Hutt and deputy mayor Cllr Eddie Williams.

Mr Leach won the Health and Wellbeing Award after re-entering education to help his mental health and wellbeing.

Mr Leach is currently studying a foundation degree in law and hopes to progress to university to top up to a full degree to pursue a legal career.

Mr Rees won the Role Model Award after ditching an unhealthy lifestyle and losing six stone on his level three personal trainer course.

As well as running the Cardiff Half Marathon in October, Mr Rees has set up cricket tasters at CAVC and volunteers for Welsh Gymnastics supporting children with disabilities at competition heats.

Ms Evans won the Vale Inspire Award after joining CAVC to study childcare as a young single mother.

On first joining Ms Evans was living in difficult conditions and was often supported by the student emergency fund.

Now, after achieving top grades despite making sacrifices, she has been taken on full time as a practitioner for Flying Start after applying for sessional work with the project which aims to tackle poverty.

All three were awarded at the Vale Inspire Awards 2016, organised by the Vale Learning Network, which was held at the college’s Glamorgan Suite restaurant.