FABRIC dyer David Topping from Bury was presented with a top award by the Duke of Kent.

David, aged 23, was a regional winner for the north of England in the vocational 19-24 category of the Edexcel Awards for Educational Excellence.

The Duke presented him with the award at a ceremony in London.

David completed his BTEC National Certificate and BTEC HNC Textile Studies over a four-year period while working for Morada Lining - a fabric dyeing company.

The firm persuaded him to take the course and he finished it on a day release basis. While he was doing so he developed a computer software package which saved his company £17,000.

During the last few months he has been promoted and has taken on a managerial role.

An avid supporter of the Manchester Storm ice-hockey team, he is now studying for a BSc in Textile Studies which he will complete in four years' time.

Edexcel - Britain's first educational body offering academic and vocational qualifications - was formed following the merger of the Business and Technology Educational Council and the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council.

The awards are presented annually in recognition of students' outstanding achievements and for added contribution in spheres outside their education programme.

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