A STUDENT from Burnham has been rewarded for her outstanding efforts as an undergraduate at an awards ceremony.

Leanne Sweet, currently studying accounting and finance at the University of Bath, was named the First Year of the Year at the TargetJobs Undergraduate of the Year awards.

The award, run in association with Ernst and Young, was launched to find Britain's most promising first year student and attracted entries from more than 400 talented undergraduates.

Michael Portillo presented Leanne with the award at a ceremony at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London.

Leanne stood out due to her academic ability and her involvement in activities outside her course, such as tutoring and mentoring in under-performing schools.

As well as winning the award, she has won a place on Ernst and Young's six-week summer internship programme and will attend its International Leadership Conference in Florida.

Leanne said: “I am shocked but ecstatic to have won and would like to thank Ernst and Young, who have been brilliant throughout the process.

“My ambition is to be an auditor so this award and the internship and Ernst and Young should definitely help me stand out in the future.”