A dedicated teaching student whose life was tragically cut short has been honoured with a college award in her own name.

Bianca Trew, from Westcliff, died of peritonitis aged 28 last year, while in her final year at Truro College, Cornwall, but she is far from forgotten.

The institution has now decided to honour her by handing out an award each year in her name to the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education student who shows the most creative approach to learning.

Staff felt this award was the most appropriate one because Miss Trew always found new ways to teach, such as using a phonetic game as a teaching aid for children with learning difficulties.

Her mother, Jennifer Trew, of Mendip Crescent, Westcliff, said: "I was totally surprised when I heard about the award. I am very pleased the college has not forgotten her.

"Bianca was a very creative girl. She used to make a lot of birthday cards for nephews and nieces. She also made her own weather game and, at college, made a puppet theatre."

After studying at South East Essex College, Miss Trew worked as a nanny for seven years and lived in a number of overseas countries including New Zealand and France.

She moved to Newquay, Cornwall, and studied for a Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education at Truro College from 2003.

In her final year at college she unexpectedly died of peritonitis, an inflammation of the tissue covering the abdominal organs, which can be fatal.

Linda Caudell, Truro College's programme leader for education, said: "We wanted to do something special in memory of Bianca, so we set up an award to be presented each year to a foundation degree early childhood education student.

"We felt this would be an appropriate topic, as Bianca was so creative, which was reflected in her approach to the teaching of the young children in her care."