Organisers of Cumbria’s premier event honouring heroes of education, training and skills have been praised for their efforts.

More than 200 finalists and guests enjoyed a glittering gala evening at Carlisle Racecourse where the winners of the 2016 CN Group Education and Learning Awards were revealed.

Twenty awards – affectionately known as the Golden Apples – were presented.

Categories covered an array of areas from accolades for learners and students, to honours for backroom support staff, teachers and lecturers.

Some of the county’s biggest players were also rewarded for their efforts in fields such as technology and the work done to improve employability skills.

Val Bairstow is headteacher of Kirkbride School, near Wigton, which was named Primary School of the Year.

She said: “We were so thrilled to win. We have all worked so hard here for such a long time and so to receive recognition like this means so much to every single person connected to this school.

“We can get recognition from Ofsted but that is sometimes the only way many schools get noticed. Therefore these awards for us and many other schools, they are all about the people who know you day in and day out.

“Our nominations came from parents and to get that recognition from those people is appreciated, and knowing they have that confidence in you and what you do is important.

“Then for an independent panel to pick apart that nomination and consider it against lots of others and reach their decision, that is something else.”

She added: “Without CN Group we wouldn’t have had this recognition and a lot of people in our field would not have been celebrated as they were at the awards. We don’t get things like this anywhere else and it was just so inspiring to hear so many stories from across the county.”

Sponsors Inspira and the University of Cumbria also praised the Golden Apples.

Mark Bowman, chief executive of Inspira, said: “We enjoy working in partnership with CN Group and we’re pleased that they continue to develop and host the Golden Apples.”

Professor Julie Mennell, vice-chancellor of the University of Cumbria, said Friday’s celebration was a “very special event”.