STUDENTS from two Basingstoke colleges have been recognised for their innovative work.

A pair of talented Queen Mary's College students have been the first recipients of a newly-created annual award for budding artists, while designers from Basingstoke College of Technology have won a fashion competition.

At QMC, Anna Burgess, 18, was handed the top award for her work in textiles, while Louise Abercrombie, also 18, was given the runners-up award for her photography.

The Brian Edney Award was set up by the Queen Mary's College Foundation - a charity to help students continue in education - in memory of the former governor of the foundation.

Mr Edney, who died in 2000, was also a pupil at Queen Mary's School and a keen artist himself.

His daughter, Mary Huntley, was at the awards to present the cash prizes to the winners.

She said: "It's a great honour really, a surprise and an honour. My dad would have been humbled by it."

Miss Burgess, who won £300, will head to Portsmouth University next year to study interior design and said of the award: "I'm really pleased. I couldn't believe I am a winner. It's something I have been hoping for all year.

"It's good to know hard work pays off in the end."

Runner-up Miss Abercrombie was handed £200 and said she will go to Reading University to study graphics.

She added: "I'm really pleased and really surprised. My friends have all worked really hard as well and it's very unexpected to get the award."

Art teachers at QMC decide the winners of the award, which will become an annual event, based on students' final year work.

Meanwhile, second year BCOT fashion design student Katie Jones, 17, gained first prize in The Oracle's Fashion 04 design competition with a New York inspired skirt and jacket.

The theme for this year's competition, held at The Oracle shopping complex in Reading, was "caf society" with prizes awarded by style guru Caryn Franklin and Steve Belam, The Oracle's customer relationship manager.

Katie's winning entry has earned her a work placement with Debenhams head office buying department and £100 Oracle gift vouchers.

She said: "I think I won because my design was the most unique, it was also quite bright because I made my own fabric and dyed it pink. I liked the theme of the competition because it was very Sex In The City.

"I'm the youngest member on my course so it was great to win, although I was shocked. I'm looking forward to working at Debenhams and making contacts before I start university."

Rebecca Thompson, 17, also from BCOT, came second in the competition with a European caf lifestyle inspired garment.

Third place was awarded to 17-year-old Linda Pearson who used The Oracle's art deco architecture as inspiration for a range of leather handbags.