Michelle snaps up top prize

Michelle Howson, who is paralysed from the waist down, beat more than 60 other students to be declared overall winner in her category at the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) regional awards.

This qualifies the Batley School of Art student for the BIPP national finals which will be held in London next year.

Katrina Whitehead, who run’s the college’s photography degree, said: “She is incredibly hard-working and incredibly talented.

“She suffers with a lot of illnesses, has constant visits to the hospital, and still manages to get all her work in to all deadlines.”

Ms Howson, 40, said: “I was extremely proud to be selected as Yorkshire region’s BIPP student photographer of the year, especially with the quality of student photography so high.”

Fellow students Anna Bridson, David Black and Luke Beaumont won merit awards during the BIPP ceremony.