CLAIRE Davies, the 13-year-old Leominster schoolgirl who lost the sight in one eye after an airgun incident, was given a special award for bravery at the Minster College prize-giving.

Claire, whose story featured on the front page of the Hereford Times. Later she talked about her ordeal on TV. It followed an incident in which a lead pellet fired near her home by an airgun user ricocheted and hit her face while she was riding a bike.

Claire was described by college deputy principal Richard Davies at the presentation evening as "an incredibly brave young lady."

He told guests: "She is so determined to get on with her life. She really has turned a potential disaster into a golden opportunity.''

Earlier, principal Valerie Thomasson championed the Minster College's "inclusive ethos" in which all students were valued.

The principal looked back on a year of high achievement in which the Minster gained prestigious Sports College status and GCSE results "exceeding our wildest dreams,"and she added: "No school in the county has ever had a 20% increase in its five A*-C grades as we did this year."

l Councillor Don Rule MBE, Herefordshire cabinet member for education handed out the prizes:

Rosemary Bailey and Christine Hanson, best university entrants. Rosemary won the history prize. Christine won the biology prize, psychology prize and the principal's prize. Caron George, chemistry, geography and physics prizes; Chris Barnett, maths and information technology. Emma Manson, English and community endeavour; Jimmy Kerwood and Ryan Doolan, governors' cup. Sally Bridges, modern languages prize and netball shield; Ian Brassington, business studies; Adam Ding, environmental studies; Emma Evans, work experience cup; Kiralee Childs, Borough prize and art cup; Beth Hippard, Gooch prize and drama cup; Jemma Price, prize and cup for music; Danielle Taylor, music prize and cup; Stephen James, band endeavour shield; Robert Field, craft skills and industry prizes; Laura Morris, catering; Emma Banks, hospitality and catering; Charlotte Magness, design and technology; Brian Rogers, design technology prize; Phillip Mifflin, product design; Lucy Thomas, health and social care; Beth Morris, child development; Sarah Pritchard, textiles; Jed Barnett, rugby cup; Ian Probert, cricket cup; Richard Mifflin, tennis trophy; Toni-Leigh Rocke, hockey shield; Chloe Hicks, house games cup; Abigail Roberts, sporting achievement; Adam Peters, soccer trophy and cup for sporting achievement; Adrian Liles, most significant improvement.