Graduates from the Kingsley Care Academy were presented with £250 cheques to mark the successful completion of their one year course.

In a pilot scheme, launched by East Coast College and Lowestoft-based Kingsley Healthcare, 10 students entered into a 12-month programme combining classroom healthcare study with work experience at Kingsley's homes.

The students were presented with a laptop and £250 bursary cheque from Kingsley at the start of their course, and the four teenagers who achieved the required 95pc college attendance received their final bonus. They were joined by their academy colleagues for a presentation ceremony at Kingsley House, in Clapham Road South.

Presenting the cheques, Kingsley's group HR director Sarah Ferguson said: 'We'd like to thank the students for their participation and wish them all well for the future.'

The youngsters carried out their work experience at Lilac Lodge and Kirkley Manor care homes in Lowestoft and Brooke House, in Brooke, near Norwich.

Graduates were given the opportunity of starting an immediate job at Kingsley but they have chosen to continue their college education.