Ashley is in a class of his own

Eighteen year-old Ashley of Parkfield Drive, Tyldesley, achieved straight As in his GCE A level exams - results to rival any nationwide.

Ashley achieved A grades in biology, physics, chemistry and maths and is currently studying Medicine at St John's College, Cambridge.

Now, thanks to his family history, Ashley's hard work and dedication has been rewarded with the Hammond Prize presented in memory of Jim Hammond, a Wigan miner who became Lancashire area president of the National Union of Mineworkers.

Jim's legacy is awarded to top performing A-Level students from Wigan borough whose ancestors worked in the mining industry.

Ashley's family has a long association with mining through various family members including his grandfather and great grandfather, both named John Simpson.

The Hammond Prize is organised by Wigan's Local Education Authority in conjunction with the Hammond family and provides assistance to the winning student to allow them to take their studies to the next level.

A delighted Ashley attended at Wigan Town Hall and is pictured receiving his prize from Mayor of Wigan Cllr John Hilton, Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services Cllr Brian Wilson and Jim Hammond's son, Judge James Hammond, who set up the Trust Fund in his father's memory.