Students from Easton and Otley College are celebrating after picking up a clutch of awards at the Suffolk Show this week.

Kai Allen, of Ipswich, picked up a gold medal and best designer award for his garden.

“I’m proud for myself and the team. Everyone worked really hard for this. This will be great for my CV and will hopefully help me start up my business in the future. One day I’d love to create a garden at the Chelsea flower show. That would be my dream,” he said.

Meanwhile, floristry students scooped a silver gilt award for their floral display based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream – to tie in with a prominent Shakespeare theme in the flower tent, where students got in the spirit by getting dressed up in Elizabethan clothing.

Construction learners picked up a second and third prize in the skills zone and student bricklayers Ben Ellis and David Gilbert were awarded first prize in the bricklaying category.

Farming learners picked up a mix of agricultural awards in livestock classes. They received a second, two thirds and three fourths in various sheep and cattle classes, and six young handlers got rosettes of various colours – most notably picking up two seconds and a third.

Lecturer Paula Bidmead received a first prize and a reserve champion rosette for her Hereford cows.

Equine students helped put up and dismantle fences in the grand ring, getting a close up view of some of the world’s best showjumpers.

Horticultural and tree surgery staff took down a flower tower at the end of day two, and all the flowers were sold off and over £300.00 was raised for the local branch of the guide dogs and the East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH).

Kathryn Crossland, a first aid lecturer from the college, raised around £1000 for Community First Responders by selling teas and cakes near the Bucklesham entrance with a team made up of current and former college staff.

Ellie Dunn from the college’s marketing department, said: “The show was a great success for both the college and the county. It (the show) seems to change so much in many ways - yet it also sticks close to its agricultural roots and heritage. It’s always a pleasure to attend.”