Staff and students at Easton and Otley College had three reasons for celebrating at the Suffolk Show.

A 15-strong group of students won the first supreme championship in the cattle lines on the first day at Trinity Park with Marlingford Shottle Alicia.

After success at last year's Royal Norfolk Show when the students won a reserve supreme title in the Holsteins, farmer's daughter, Libby Eglington, went one better and took the heifer championship ahead of south Norfolk dairy farmer, John Cawston's Poringland Honey.

Herd manager Steve Dewhurst, who had almost lost his voice with the excitement of taking prize cards in the Holstein classes, had more rosettes to display after the students took reserve in best pair of Highland cattle behind Jim Ayes, of Northwold.

In the young handlers, the students were successful and Mr Dewhurst was pleased with a first rosette for Jorden Rust, who paraded a Jersey in the dairy breed handler section.

The college, officially merged almost a year ago when Otley came into the fold, won the award for best overall show stand, the George Thurlow Centenary Perpetual Trophy. It was judged by John Purling, who retired as chief executive of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association last August. He had also responded on behalf of the guests at the eve of show judges and stewards' dinner.

Overall, the college won the best trade stand, the Russell Faulds Trophy for representing environmental or education issues and the Suffolk National Farmers' Union Cup for best use of floral decorations.

There were further successes as floristry students won honours in the floral hat and handbag design contest.

Martyn Davey, director of Landbased Studies, who helped to organise the college's show activities, said: ' We are thrilled to win so many awards.'