WESTLEIGH High School pupils were advised never to settle for second best at their prize day on Tuesday.

Peter Deakin, chief executive at Warrington Wolves RLFC, guest speaker at the annual presentation evening spoke on how education can make a difference.

He said he left school at 15 with no qualifications, and now realises how much better he could have done.

Headteacher, John Pout, told the audience of 800 students, parents and friends: "Westleigh School has a brilliant combination of good facilities, excellent teachers and extremely talented students.

"This school has laid the foundations for significant success, now it is the time to start delivering."

The evening saw the inaugural presentation of two trophies for arts and sports in the names of two former pupils who died in a tragic fall in August.

Daniel Howarth Hynes, of Shelley Street, Leigh, and Graeme Lynch, of Minehead Avenue, both aged 22, and salesmen working for the Surrey-based Combined Insurance Co, of America, were attending a conference in the Renaissance Hotel, Manchester, when they fell 100ft through a window to their deaths.

They were believed to have been having a laugh bouncing on a bed when they overbalanced.

The two friends were buried next to each other at Howe Bridge cemetery.

Top 'Miss' Michelle Dunning, was presented with her Teacher of the Year Award, and ex pupils received their trophies, prizes and GCSE, GNVQ and NVQ certificates.

Current pupils were awarded prizes for improved performance and academic achievements.

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