West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds provided six of the top ten finalists in a prestigious national fashion photography competition.

East Anglian Daily Times: Milo Bustin's entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGEMilo Bustin's entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE (Image: Archant)

The students were recognised in the Young Photographer of the Year contest, run by The Clothes Show.

The college also saw another student gain a final place in the Young Designer of the Year by designing a jacket for fashion professor and commentator Caryn Franklin to wear at this year’s Clothes Show in Liverpool.

Hundreds of students across the country entered the highly competitive awards which can help them step into the fashion world.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lydia Kerr's entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGELydia Kerr's entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE (Image: Archant)

The fashion photography brief was to present an image showing appreciation for where they live by celebrating a person in their town to showcase their personality.

The six finalists are Lydia Kerr, 17, Harry Taylor, 18, Charlotte Miller, 18, Milo Buston, 18, Courtney Easton, from photography Year 2 and Iona Dickens, 16, from fashion media and promotion Year 1.

Derek Johnson, director of art and design, said: “Our students have featured in these finals in previous years but to have six out of ten in the final of this highly sought after competition is fantastic.

East Anglian Daily Times: Courtney Easton's entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGECourtney Easton's entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE (Image: Archant)

“It shows how hard they work and the high standard they have reached already. We are all extremely proud.”

In the Young Designer of the Year award, students were tasked with producing a jacket for Mrs Franklin to wear on stage at the Clothes Show event involving some digital technology.

Yasmin Backhouse, who is in the second year of a fashion and textiles course at the college, sent in a mood board showing her design and has since made the jacket using a pattern digitally printed on the fabric.

East Anglian Daily Times: Iona Dickens' entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGEIona Dickens' entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE (Image: Archant)

Sophie Lachowycz, course director for fashion and textiles and fashion media and promotion, said: “We encourage our students to aim high, pushing themselves to succeed and this outstanding selection of finalists demonstrates this.

“Vocational contexts are an essential part of our courses that we integrate into our project briefs to ensure the students begin to build professional connections.

“Yasmin has been chosen as a finalist amongst degree level students, which is an amazing achievement for a further education student.

East Anglian Daily Times: Harry Taylor's entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGEHarry Taylor's entry. Picture: SUPPLIED BY WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE (Image: Archant)

“Her excellent work ethic and commitment to the course has paid off.”

The finalists will have to wait until just before the three-day Clothes Show event kicks off on October 19 to find out the winners.

East Anglian Daily Times: Yasmin Backhouse with her jacket. Picture: WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGEYasmin Backhouse with her jacket. Picture: WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE (Image: Archant)