A college in Cumbria was recently presented with a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize at Buckingham Palace.

Lakes College, based in Lillyhall, Workington, earned the highest national honour in further and higher education for its development of highly skilled technicians in the nuclear and low carbon energy sectors.

News and Star: The staff at Lakes College received their Queen’s Anniversary Prize at Buckingham Palace. From left to right: Chris Fairclough (Curriculum Operations Leader – Higher Engineering, Science and Nuclear), Chris Nattress (Principal), Michael Priestley (Chair of Governors).The staff at Lakes College received their Queen’s Anniversary Prize at Buckingham Palace. From left to right: Chris Fairclough (Curriculum Operations Leader – Higher Engineering, Science and Nuclear), Chris Nattress (Principal), Michael Priestley (Chair of Governors). (Image: Supplied)

The presentation ceremony, which took place at Buckingham Palace on Friday, February 23, celebrated the successes of 22 colleges and universities across the UK for contributions to innovation and public benefit.

A prize-winners’ dinner took place the night before, including notable guest speakers such as broadcaster Clare Balding and director-general of the BBC Tim Davie.

News and Star: : Lake College learners were excited to board the train and set off on their way to London to attend the Queen’s Anniversary Prize presentation ceremony: Lake College learners were excited to board the train and set off on their way to London to attend the Queen’s Anniversary Prize presentation ceremony (Image: Supplied)

Chris Nattress, principal at Lakes College, said: "To be presented with such a prestigious national award by Her Majesty The Queen for our work in training top-class technicians is a moment I’ll never forget.

"I know our students, my colleagues and our partners present at the events held at The Guildhall and Buckingham Palace share my feelings of pride and celebration in being granted this award, reflecting many years of hard work and commitment.

"This was a great day for Lakes College and all the communities and employers we work with, recognising our collective endeavours in sustaining such high-quality work.”

Prime minister Rishi Sunak offered his congratulations in a letter provided to prize-winners. He said: "I am immensely proud of Britain’s higher and further education sector.

"As your work shows, there is some extraordinary work taking place in British colleges and universities today – and it is being conducted in a spirit of inquiry, public good and a quest for knowledge."

News and Star: Celebrations were in full-swing at Guildhall in London as the prize-winners’ dinner took place.Celebrations were in full-swing at Guildhall in London as the prize-winners’ dinner took place. (Image: Supplied)

Jacqueline Kendall, a learner studying civil engineering and asset management at Lakes College, commented: "I am honoured and privileged to represent the college at the presentation of the Queen’s Award at Buckingham Palace.

"As a mature student it has been a big adjustment returning to education, especially as a mother of two.

"The college has been extremely supportive and made it possible for me to re-skill into a discipline I have always been interested in and allows me to pursue my chosen career as a civil engineer."