AN Ovingham graduate has plenty to celebrate this summer after winning a prestigious award for her studies.

Katherine Evans-Smith has recently graduated from Aberdeen University with a degree in forestry.

And the 26-year-old from Ovingham has also earned the award for the best forest management plan.

National forest management company UPM Tilhill presented Katherine with a special carved wooden trophy and a cheque for £250.

Katherine said: “I am absolutely delighted and most honoured to be the first recipient of the UPM Tilhill award for the best forest management plan.

“I feel that it’s a great achievement to receive this award.

“The management plan is regarded by most forestry students as the most important piece of work of the degree and so for my piece of work to be recognised in this way is a great achievement and I feel very proud.”

As part of the company’s work to strengthen links with budding foresters, UPM Tilhill offers awards to nominated best performing forestry students at leading universities which offer degrees in Forestry.

Dr Andrew Cameron, senior lecturer in forestry at Aberdeen University, added: “The forest management plan is by far the biggest piece of work that the students undertake and focuses on the preparation of a fully costed, professional forest management plan.

“The skills that they learn from this fit well with those required by the industry.

“We were very pleased with Katherine’s efforts and she is a worthy winner of the award.”