BUCKINGHAMSHIRE is being targeted to find the county's special achievers in education with £30,000 of prize money up for grabs.

Edexcel has started its national search and is seeking nominations from Bucks for its 2003 Achievement in Education Awards.

The awarding body is encouraging nominations for individuals whose performance in education deserves special recognition.

Students, teachers, trainers, governors, journalists and employers can be nominated for one of the 11 categories.

The winners will be invited to attend a celebration dinner at a top London hotel, where they will be presented with an award by TV personality Kate Humble, who has hosted the educational programmes Rough Science, Tomorrow's World and Top Gear.

A panel of celebrity judges, including Falkland's war veteran Simon Weston, presenter Johnny Ball and top media chef Antony Worrall Thompson will then decide who deserves the top award of Outstanding Student of the Year.

The £30,000 prize money will be shared between the award winners and their educational centres. Past winners have found that winning an Edexcel Achievement in Education Award has not only helped them in finding a job and boosting self-confidence.

Mark Szortowski, who scooped the Outstanding Student of the Year Award last year, said: "Winning the award looks excellent on my CV and opens many doors.

"It was an immense honour to have been nominated and to have won.

"I would certainly encourage others to participate as it provides a wonderful learning experience and the opportunity to show others what you are made of."

Nominations can be made online by logging onto www.edexcel.org.uk or you can call O20 758 5515/5501 or email achievement@edexcel.org.uk for further information. The deadline for nominations is March 14 2003.