A STUDENT at the University of Chester’s Padgate campus has won a top radio award.

Tom Marland scooped the Silver Award for Best Journalistic Programming at the prestigious Student Radio Awards for his hour-long documentary Cheat.

Broadcast on the university’s station Cat Radio, the programme focussed on essay mills – in which students pay to have essays written for them, which they then submit as their own work.

Radio production and TV student Tom created the hour-long documentary as part of his final year radio project.

The 23-year-old, from Middlewich, said: “After such an amazing show put on by the Student Radio Awards at Indigo at the O2, I was thrilled to have walked away with silver in my category and have had some amazing and constructive feedback – I really wanted to tell the story and bring light on this ever growing issue in a way that caught everyone’s attention and kept them glued to the investigation.

“I sincerely hope that, for anyone who listens, it will make them realise the damage contract cheating does – not only to higher education, but also to the personal development of the students themselves.”

Tom picked up his award at a star-studded event only two days after graduating at Chester Cathedral.

Cat Radio was also nominated for Best Student Chart Show and Best Podcast, with the Student Radio Awards receiving more than 500 entries across 16 different categories.

Radio Production programme leader Michelle Ponting added: “To get three nominations was fantastic – I continue to be proud of the work and effort the students put in.

“I am particularly happy for Tom.

“It’s a well-deserved recognition for a really, really good programme.”