Up-and-coming stylist Hannah Meen-Ward (19) and budding chef Lida Karaoglan (15) were each honoured with prizes at the Learning and Skills Council's Big Skill Awards presentation night.

The glittering ceremony, hosted at Peterborough Town Hall by BBC sports broadcaster Ray Stubbs, was held to reward the successes of youngsters in vocational training throughout the county.

Peterborough Regional College student Hannah clinched the Skills for the Community award for her tireless efforts combining voluntary work with disabled youngsters with her studies and a full-time job at Spencer's Hair Salon, in Park Road, Peterborough.

She also picked up a special commendation in the 17-19 Learner section of the awards programme.

Hannah, of Cemetery Road, Whittlesey, said: "It was such a shock even to be nominated – to win an award means so much."

Salon owner Liza Schwarz, whose 10-year-old son, Spencer, is disabled, dedicates much of her time to supporting young people with disabilities and learning difficulties.

And when she began working for her in March last year, Hannah wasted no time getting involved herself. She regularly visits special schools in the city to give classes on grooming and hygiene, mentors youngsters during work experience at the salon and helps organise fund-raising events.

Mrs Schwarz said: "Hannah has done so much to help raise awareness about disability issues, and the time she gives to helping young people means an awful lot to them. She is a model apprentice and she certainly deserves recognition."

Hampton College pupil Lida, from Hampton, Peterborough, picked up the Big Skill award in the 14-16 Learner category after her cookery skills attracted the attention of some celebrity chefs.

Earlier this year, Lida reached the national finals of the Future Chef competition in London and despite missing out on the title, she won praise from judges Ainslie Harriott and Brian Turner.

She revealed that her experience, combined with her Big Skill success, had convinced her to carve out a career in the catering industry.

"I didn't expect to get the award at all," she said. "The learning I've done has really made a massive difference to me. I didn't want to carry on at first, but now I'm so into it and love it. I used to have plans to be a solicitor, but that completely changed – and I'm so happy it did."