A CRIME scene expert who uses a variety of unorthodox materials to teach students at an East Lancashire college has been awarded a Medal of Excellence.

Stuart Wilson, who teaches bio-hazard cleaning at Accrington and Rossendale College, has been recognised by national and training qualification board City and Guilds for his outstanding teaching.

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He has also been shortlisted for a national Lion Award which honours achievements in professional and technical education.

Stuart has taught specialist courses on biohazards, crime scene and trauma cleaning at the Broad Oak Road college for 18 years and has worked for councils and the police around the North West.

He provides realistic crime scenes for students using a variety of unorthodox materials including Nutella, tomato sauce and tinned vegetable soup and works hard to make his courses interactive and interesting.

His students have progressed onto successful careers within the industry and some have developed their own businesses.

Mr Wilson said: "It’s an honour to be recognised in this way for something I do every day as my job.

"I really enjoy making my lessons as interactive and engaging as possible and the fact that this important career path is being highlighted can only be a good thing.

"It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it."

Mr Wilson was recommended for the special award after receiving positive feedback following a monitoring visit for City and Guilds and from learners who had studied on the course.

He makes sure he keeps up to date with current legislation and skills requirements owing to his close contacts within industry and an ongoing personal interest in the development of the subject as an important suite of skills for professional cleaning providers.

Ray Felters, deputy head of service industries at the college, said: "Stuart has consistently gone above and beyond with his teaching and training at Accrington and Rossendale College.

"The success of his students proves that his lessons are effective and engaging, turning quite an unsavoury subject into unique and sought after skills.

"The whole team are extremely proud of him for being presented with this prestigious accolade."

City and Guilds' Medals for Excellence recognises the outstanding achievements of trainers and tutors who show a true journey of progression within their work.

The Lion Awards will be held in London this summer.