A media training centre in Lincolnshire for newspaper and television journalists has been made a Centre of Vocational Excellence.

Education minister Alan Johnson visited East Coast Media at Grimsby College to present the official plaque to the centre director Simon Couth.

The minister said: "CoVE centres such as East Coast Media provide high-quality vocational skills training and will bring real benefit to learners, employers and the economy. We need more skilled people to meet employers' current and future needs."

"I am very impressed with East Coast Media's partnerships with the media industry. Working with employers is a key part of the work of all Centres of Vocational Excellence."

Centre director Simon said the award would guarantee the college £500,000 to invest over the next three years - which would give huge benefits to the students.

He added: "Without CoVE, we could not maintain our position at the cutting edge of media. More importantly, it means we have the resources to ensure our students are able to hit the ground running when it comes to getting good quality jobs."

The centre was opened by Grimsby College in April 2001 and offers a range of courses in journalism, TV, film and video production, multimedia and photography.

Students have the unique opportunity to have their programmes broadcast on the region's cable TV network, Channel Seven.

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