A MAN from Saundersfoot has been presented with a special prize for his work on an assignment at Harper Adams University College, sponsored by a leading property consultant.

Second year Rural Enterprise and Land Management (REALM) student, Edward Merriman, received £50 from Carter Jonas in recognition of his achievement. He had to work as part of a group on a real-life case study of Haston Farmhouse on the Sansaw Estate near Shrewsbury.

Twenty-one-year-old Edward, said: "It's a fantastic achievement for me, but it was a group effort. I now hope to take what I've learnt forward into my working life and use it during my placement year at Gwilym Richards & Co in Monmouth."

Nine students in total were presented with the cash prizes, worth £500, by Andrew Black, an associate of the Shrewsbury Carter Jonas branch and Harper alumnus, who also established the award scheme. Students Jonathan Hawking and Owen Evans were also part of Edward's team.

Mr Black said: "This year's assignment included a diverse mix of agricultural, residential and commercial properties on the estate and has been specifically tailored to provide students with real life skills for use during their placement year.

"Carter Jonas is delighted to be involved with the students at Harper Adams."

REALM course manager, Simon Keeble, said: "As always, we thank Carter Jonas for their continued support as this enables students to deal with a live case and bring the practical side of surveying to their studies.

"But, it also recognises their achievements with cash prizes for the top students."

Placement forms the third year of a sandwich degree at Harper Adams University College. Examples for REALM include Savills, Fisher German and The National Trust.