A PUPIL has been recognised as the BTEC child and social care Student of the Year.

Hashmi Hussain, who is the only boy on his course at Our Lady and St John Catholic College in Blackburn, was shortlisted from more than 700 entrants and selected by a panel of key vocational experts to receive the prestigious award.

The teen, who is also the school’s deputy head boy and anti-bullying ambassador, is preparing for a career in medicine and plans to move onto the college’s sixth form in September to study his A-levels.

Hashmi and his family were asked to attend the House of Commons at Westminster to meet Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

He was later presented with his award by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.

Headteacher Keith Ballard said: “Teachers of Our Lady and St John Catholic College and Hashmi’s parents are extremely proud of Hashmi’s achievements and wish him every success for his future.”