Fermanagh student, Lorraine Fyfe has scooped a top award at this year's Future Students of Business Awards.

Lorraine, who studied for a BSc Business at the South West College, collected her prize at Stormont recently after impressing the judges with her business acumen.

Now in their fourth year, the awards are run by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in conjunction with the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges (ANIC).

They aim to reward and encourage local students at further education colleges to be the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. This year's awards are supported by Vodafone Northern Ireland.

Having been self-employed for a number of years, Lorraine said her studies helped her gain valuable experience and skills which she now hopes to use in her role in the voluntary management of a Community Playgroup.

Lorraine also believes that business has a key role to play in solving some of the world's issues, such as fair trade and green business development, and she now hopes to be part of such movements as a future responsible employer.

Donald Pottie, FSB Fermanagh Branch Chair, said the event highlighted the wealth of business talent to be found within Further Education colleges.

"From our involvement in these awards", he said, "it is clear it is in these colleges where we will find and nurture the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

"Events like this clearly show the ideas and the skills do exist out there, and we are delighted to see them being nurtured and allowed to flourish within the Further Education system.

"We are delighted also to be involved in these awards and we gratefully acknowledge the support of Vodafone in helping make this year's event so successful," he added.