A 17-year-old city teenager is in the running for a national student-of-the-year title after being nominated for his hard work within the college and in the wider community.

City College Norwich has nominated Elliot Page, who has been a class representative, a student governor and a students' union executive officer, for the Association of Colleges' national student-of-the-year award.

He has played a central role in improving the recycling rates of the college from 7.6pc last year to 60pc this year, by helping to establish the Eco Warriors group – a cross-college group of staff and students who work together on sustainability issues.

He started with a project to change attitudes about recycling in the college's sixth-form centre, and then joined with the campus services team to determine that having waste separated for recycling off-site was the key change needed.

Now the Blofield teenager is helping to drive exciting plans for improving the bio-diversity of the college campus, tackling energy inefficiency and water waste, encouraging greener travel and promoting the skills needed for careers in green energy.

Elliot has also been active in encouraging and supporting more student-run clubs and societies to be established.

Dick Palmer, principal of City College Norwich, said: 'Elliot has made a really significant contribution to the college. He has shown an infectious enthusiasm and a real dedication to making a difference for his fellow students.

'The student voice is central to all that we do at City College Norwich and Elliot is a shining example of the student voice in action.'

As well as his commitment to the life of the college, Elliot also works to make a difference in the wider community. He is an ambassador for the UK Youth Parliament, helping to advise the nine elected members in the area on various campaigns.

He has become actively involved with a group of young people and business leaders in Great Yarmouth who are working to tackle binge drinking and anti-social behaviour by organising drug and alcohol-free events for young people. His long-term plans are to set up his own graphic design studio and furthering his involvement in politics.

He said: 'I feel honoured to have been nominated for the award.

'I have been given loads of opportunities to get involved in extra curricular activities at the college, as a student governor and through the environmental and other issues I have worked on.

'I want to help give other students similar opportunities to be involved and to see that they can make a real difference.'

Are you or someone you know up for a national award? Contact Sam Emanuel on 01603 772438 or email sam.emanuel@archant.co.uk