Dame Asha Khemka, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College (front, centre), joins students and staff in celebrating the top national accolades it has won for its green initiatives.

The college recently scooped gold in the national Green Impact Students’ Union Awards – which it claimed for the second year running – and was also named Students’ Union of the Year in the further education category.

The awards attracted entries from more than 100 students’ unions from colleges and universities across the UK, who worked to improve practice in areas such as energy, biodiversity and waste.

West Nottinghamshire College was highlighted as completing the largest number of tasks and scored highest out of all colleges taking part.

Over the last 12 months, students and staff have undertaken a range of projects aimed at improving the college and local environment, including reducing and recycling waste, setting up a community allotment, getting involved in the Clean-Up Mansfield campaign, planting seeds and bulbs on the main campus, and recycling used printer cartridges.

Winners were announced at the National Union of Students’ Services Convention in April.

Pictured showing off the awards and framed certificate with Dame Asha are (front, left to right) Marie Oakton and Ashleigh Trolley, from the college’s Students’ Union.

Also celebrating are (back, from left) student Will Jordan, reprographics team leader Alan Shepherd, and students Will Limb and Ruth Moss. The students were just some of those that took part in the Clean-Up Mansfield campaign.