DUCHY College Rural Business School of Stoke Climsland was presented with a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education at a prestigious ceremony held recently at Buckingham Palace.

As the first ever land-based college in England to win a prize, this award recognises the work carried out by the Rural Business School to help promote prosperity and skills in the South West farming community.

At the ceremony Amarjit Basi, principal and chief executive of the Cornwall College Group, was presented with a medal by the Queen, while the Duke of Edinburgh presented a certificate, signed by the Queen, to head of Duchy College, Andrew Counsell.

Catherine Ede, who lives near Callington and studied the degree in Rural Business Management at Duchy College, was one of the four students invited to attend the ceremony and reception. She said: 'It was such an amazing experience and an honour to represent the college and see the work that so many people have achieved being rewarded by such a prestigious prize.

'This week has been very surreal for me. The beginning of the week I was living in a remote African village sleeping under the stars, then to be followed by sitting in the grand ballroom at Buckingham Palace. I had to keep pinching myself to make sure it was real!'

Following the ceremony, guests, including staff and students from Duchy College, attended a reception at which they met the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education 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 its use of applied research that has enhanced prosperity and skills in rural-based communities across the South West.

Head of Duchy College, Andrew Counsell said:  'The Rural Business School is a dynamic and credible leader within the agricultural sector and has strong partnerships with universities and colleges, professions, public bodies and organisations. Its work attracts attention at national and international level and most importantly, it is helping to bring new life to traditional industries and those who work in them.

'It was such an honour to be presented with this award and I'm so very proud of all those who have worked so hard to make this happen.'