Rebecca Hume, a pupil at Belfast Model School for Girls, is the winner of the first Fred J Malcolm Awards for Jewellery Design.

The jewellers on Belfast's Lisburn Road set up the competition for young A-Level designers from schools across Northern Ireland with the aim to recognise the top students and give them a clear insight into the world of commercial jewellery design and production.

Martin Watt, director of Fred J Malcolm, said: "It was great to see the superb standard of entries from the contestants.

"We set out to give young designers the chance to work to a commercial brief while allowing their entries to match the AS/A2 Art and Design curriculum.

"The standard was very high and the competition was fierce.

"We look forward to these young designers going from strength to strength and taking their rightful place in our exciting industry in the near future."

Rebecca was presented with £1,000 and a trophy at an award ceremony yesterday.

Her design was based on the theme 'Discarded' and was inspired by an old piece of fisherman's netting, tangled seaweed, shells and pebbles. The design range includes a wrist band, necklace and earrings.

It is hoped that Rebecca's designs will be made in precious metals and go on sale in the shop.

"I am extremely pleased to have won this prestigious award," she said.

"My competition entry took a considerable amount of time and effort, but I am very pleased with the result."

The award brief was deliberately kept to a minimum to allow designers maximum creativity and ingenuity.

Students were asked to produce contemporary jewellery designs in 3D with extra marks being awarded for presentation and commercial awareness.

The runners-up in the competition were Georgina Cheung from Wallace High in Lisburn and Charlene McFarland from Omagh High. Each received £250 and a certificate.

Other highly commended entries were Meadhbh Caldwell of Aquinas Grammar in Belfast and Sarah Hamilton of Sullivan Upper School in Holywood.