Twelve pound;1,000-a-year scholarships are on offer to catering and hospitality management students at the Lancashire college, which already has similar awards for maths, science and sports students.

“In the UK, feer people are studying craft catering courses and hospitality management programmes than ever before,” said Alison Fazackerly, head of catering and hospitality management. “As the sector provides one in five of all new jobs, it is imperative that more bright young people follow craft and hospitality programmes.”