Three college students have achieved national acclaim with their outstanding contribution to their college and the community.

Poonam Koria, Adam Seymour and Aarif Sarigat, students at Bolton Sixth Form College, have won the Diana Princess of Wales Award for Young People after impressing judges with their hard work and dedication under testing circumstances.

All three students made a major contribution to the college's work to encourage good race relations in the town. They appeared in a video on racial issues produced in conjunction with Smithills School and took part in an equality conference for pupils from all over Bolton.

The trio have also managed to juggle their part-time work, home and other commitments with homework and coursework. They all gained A grades at AS level in 2002 and have gained places at top universities.

Poonam and Adam, former Hayward School pupils, have gained places to read Economics at Cambridge University. While former Smithills pupil Aarif Sarigat, has a place at Oxford University, to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

College Principal Roy Whittle said: "This award shows what young people in Bolton can do when they reach their potential.

"We are delighted not just for Poonam, Adam and Aarif but also for their teachers."