Plumbing students from West Herts College's Kings Langley campus have been honoured by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE).

CIPHE's Hertfordshire branch were joined by boiler manufacturer Vokéra, which has its own training centre in London Colney, to bestow awards for excellence in plumbing on the students from the College’s Kings Langley campus. The awards were presented to the students in front of an audience made up of peers, family and members of CIPHE.

Glenn Roger, head of the School for Engineering and Building Services, and Courtney Hart, plumbing tutor at the College, kickstarted the awards ceremony by presenting Callum O'Byrne with the 'West Herts College Plumbing Award – Level 1'. Mr Roger described Callum as "an incredibly hard working young man and fully deserving of this award".

Tutor Paul Saunders then presented the 'West Herts College Plumbing Award – Level 2' to Billy Lucas. Mr Lucas said: "It's nice to have an evening like this, it makes you want to work harder knowing that you can win awards."

Bradley Page then received the 'Vokéra award for Best Overall Plumber' from David Iszchak, Vokèra's technical trainer.

The 'Ornamental Leadbook' by Master Plumber Terry Fillary MBE, known for his work at Westminster, Buckingham Palace and The Tower of London, was presented to Mr Page by Mike Pratt, chairman of CIPHE's Hertfordshire branch.

The evening included two more awards. The 'Ralph Hill Award for Top Practical Assessment Task' was given to James Carling, while the 'Brian Saunders Award for Most Outstanding Plumbing Apprentice' went to Luke Hammill.

Mr Hammill said: "It's a great feeling, I got my apprenticeship with local company Space Heating Ltd, and I've learned so much from them in such a short space of time. I have to say that this job wouldn't have been possible without the tutors and the apprenticeship team helping me, so thanks to them."