The annual Shining Star Awards celebrated outstanding student achievements at The Cornwall College Group (TCCG).

Held at the prestigious St Mellion Estate, almost 200 attendees experienced an evening of joy, inspiration and glamour.

Celebrity host and co-founder of Soccer Aid, Jonathan Wilkes, led the ceremony.

He was joined by special guests such as renowned football manager Neil Warnock, and representatives of various businesses.

Mr Wilkes said: "This event is all about the learners, to give them support, encouragement and a platform to be celebrated."

He has been involved with the Shining Star Awards for two years and was particularly nostalgic about this year’s ceremony.

He said: "The Shining Star Awards is incredibly inspiring and I am honoured to present it again for the second year, to also mark John Evans’ last awards ceremony as the Principal and CE of The Cornwall College Group."

John Evans, the outgoing principal, expressed his gratitude to students and staff, who have supported such phenomenal success and achievement.

He said: "It’s important we recognise not only the work that the students have done but also congratulate the great staff we have at the Group who have led the students to where they are today."

Mr Evans went on to extend his gratitude to the event sponsors, especially the headline sponsor, The Eden Project, and award supporters, Pearsons.

Throughout the evening, there were many joyous celebrations as students received their trophies.

The awards were distributed across various curriculum areas from campuses across Devon and Cornwall, underscoring the wide reach of TCCG.

The sponsors of this year's categories included Cornwall by Kernow, Cornwall Opportunities, Digital Skills Partnership, Electude, First South West, Fox Construction Solutions, Lantra, Mole Valley Farmers, Multiply, NCFE, Next Steps South West and St Austell Brewery.

All these organisations collaborate with TCCG campuses, extending from Camborne and St Austell, Duchy College sites at Rosewarne and Stoke Climsland, Falmouth Marine School, Bicton College to Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre.

The Cornwall College Group, renowned for its commitment to education and training, has information on all available courses on its website.

Shining Star Awards winners included Oliver Arthur Lee, Tobias Clark, Freya Hill, Annalise Endacott, Lewis Osborne, Rebecca Mumberson, Imogen Hawkins, and Maisy Malkin, from various campuses.

The ceremony served as a significant reminder of the transformative power of further education and the boundless opportunities it presents to students.