A UNIVERSITY student from Neston has won a bursary for her first-year work.

Forepoint, which is based in Preston and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, recently launched the Forepoint Award Bursary for University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) students.

This week, they awarded the bursary to three winners which included former Neston High School and Sixth Form pupil Olivia Hayward.

Olivia was chosen from a shortlist of 10 portfolios of first-year work, with talent, potential, attendance, attitude, and ability to be a team player also taken into consideration.

She received £1,000 to spend on advancing her design skills and knowledge by buying equipment, software and attending events or exhibitions.

20-year-old Olivia said: "I am loving the course and appreciate this opportunity to have my first year work recognised.

"This is personally a big confidence boost and will massively help fund my studies."

The students were presented with their awards by Forepoint Director and UCLan alumni, Keith Noble and Senior Designer, Abi Stones.

Keith said: "As a business, we’ve always been passionate about giving back to our industry, education, society, the environment, and towards general well-being.

"The forepoint Award is our higher education bursary scheme for students studying graphic design. It’s our commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation of creatives and designers and I want to offer my congratulations to three very deserving winners of our inaugural award.

"We owe a lot to UCLan, where numerous members of Forepoint staff studied, and to the fabulous course that’s nurtured and developed so many who’ve gone on to have successful careers in the creative design, illustration, and tech industries, both in the UK and abroad."

Following the success of the inaugural Forepoint Bursary Award, it is hoped that it will continue next year to give more UCLan graphic design students positive recognition for their hard work and talent.