Two Preston students proved everyone wrong after working their way up the academic ladder.

Mohammed Valli and Siddiq Zangaria came to Preston College with an eye for anything other than their coursework armed with 7 low grade GCSE's each. Now they are in the top quarter of the AVCE in ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) after progressing from Foundation to Intermediate and finally to Advanced level. Former Ashton High School pupil Mohammed Valli, 20 of Stanleyfield Road and former Fulwood High School pupil Siddiq Zangaria, 20 of Plover Street have been best friends since they were 5 years old.

Mohammed said, "I know that I didn't come to college with the right attitude at first, I think the turning point was when the work began to get harder. If I didn't work I realised I wouldn't pass and I didn't want to end up doing a manual job."

Siddiq was encouraged by his school Careers teacher to try his hand at college. He said, "When I first started college I was interested but not as much as I knew I should be. Now I've proved a lot to myself and shown what I am capable of. Coming to College was the best thing I ever did."

Both Mohammed and Siddiq have applied their skills learnt from the course to the community as they volunteered to teach web design to young people at the Preston Muslim Forum.

Both students have worked alongside their studies, Mohammed is currently working at Curry's and Siddiq continues to work at Morrisons where he has been employed for the last two and a half years.

They have also participated in various projects involving PC Maintenance, Websites, and Multi-Media CD ROMs in their spare time.

Mohammed and Siddiq added, "The course has really boosted our confidence from time management skills to research to being able to articulate our opinions in discussion." Their Personal Learning Advisor, Paul Flanagan, said: "After four years of determination and continuous effort both students have come out on top with a qualification that has got them a place at University and an independence and maturity that is beyond recognition. They will do well in their chosen degrees. It is very inspiring to see.

"I am very proud of them."

Both students have gained places at the College's associate University where they will study BSc Computing this September.