The hard work and achievements of plumbing apprentice Connor Woodgate have been recognised at his college's annual awards ceremony.

Last week's LeSoCo Student Awards at Goldsmiths in London saw 112 students from a range of different courses being praised for their progress during the 2012/13 academic year. Among the students was Woodgate, from Sidcup, who was presented with a special award of £250 and a certificate from the Worshipful Company of Plumbers (WCP) for his outstanding performance on his Level Two, Level Three and NVQ Plumbing courses at LeSoCo's Deptford campus.

Woodgate, who now works for Elliotts Plumbing & Heating in Bromley, said: "When I started the course I was really inexperienced but by studying at LeSoCo I gained the knowledge, experience and confidence I needed to get my first job as a plumber. I'm glad I've got my career started but to get an award on top of that is brilliant."

Principal Maxine Room CBE told the audience of 300 people that the awards were her favourite event of the year. "They are a time to pause and reflect on what all of our students have achieved and will go on to achieve in their future successful careers," she said.