AN East Lancashire college is a finalist for a prestigious national award.

Accrington and Rossendale College was nominated in the school/college of the year category for the National BTEC Awards 2015.

Other categories for the awards include teacher/tutor of the year, student of the year and apprentice of the year.

The BTEC Diploma is a secondary school leaving qualification and vocational qualification taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The qualification is awarded by Edexcel within the BTEC brand and it is equivalent to A-Levels.

It is regarded as equivalent in level to the GCE A Levels, more specifically to three A2 awards and the AVCE.

Becky Tootell, director of quality and standards at the college, said: “This is testament to the hard work and dedication of all of the college staff and students, who strive to be the best.

“Each year our teachers work to provide innovative BTEC courses that will give our students the best chance of success in their chosen careers.

“Just as importantly, our students work hard on these pathways.

“Ex-students have gone on to become professional athletes, TV actors, businessmen and women, film producers, world famous chefs and more.

“We truly believe that our staff and students put Accrington on the map and becoming a finalist in this national award proves it.”

Finalists will be judged by a panel of experts including employers, journalists, tutors and educationalists at the end of the month.

The winners will be crowned at an awards ceremony in London on July 7.

A spokesman for the BTEC Awards said: “Now in their fifth year, the National BTEC Awards are a well-deserved platform for students, teachers, schools and colleges to celebrate their achievements in vocational learning.

“Every year, we hear wonderful and inspiring stories from teachers, tutors and other learning providers about truly outstanding BTEC students and apprentices in schools, colleges and work placements."

“Now in their fifth year and firmly established as a highlight in the vocational calendar, the awards will reward these individuals, along with the excellent teachers, tutors, schools, colleges, training providers and employers who deliver their learning.”