DUCHY College Rural Business School, part of The Cornwall College Group, has been officially declared as a winner of The Queen's Anniversary Prize 2013 for 'Vocational Training for Land-based Industries Sustaining and Developing the Local Rural Economy'.

The announcement was made by the Trust chairman, Kieran Poynter to Andrew Counsell, head of Duchy College and Amarjit Basi, chief executive and principal of Cornwall College, at a formal reception held last week at St James's Palace.

As the only further education land-based college in England to win a prize, head of Duchy College Andrew Counsell said: 'This is fantastic news for Duchy College and we're delighted that our work with the land-based community in the South West has been recognised through this prestigious award'.

The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education were first awarded in 1994 and the scheme has taken place on a biennial basis since then. The prizes recognise and honour the special contribution that universities and colleges make to the intellectual, economic and cultural life of the nation and to wider society and the world.

The college was recognised for this award for its use of applied research that has enhanced prosperity and skills in rural based communities across the South West.