TWO York students have been awarded prizes in memory of murdered York-backpacker Caroline Stuttle.

Both Huntington School and York College, where Caroline used to study, have given out their annual prizes in memory of the former student.

At York College, student Abbie Girling has been awarded the Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation psychology prize. The prize is presented each year in memory of former York College student Caroline, who was murdered during her gap year in Australia in 2002.

Caroline’s mother, Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, who set up the charity Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation, which aims to promote safety awareness for young travellers, presented 18-year-old Abbie with a certificate and a book token.

Abbie, a former Manor CE School pupil from Rawcliffe, plans to study for a psychology degree at the University of York. Her tutor, Andy Higgs, said: “Abbie has developed into an outstanding psychology student who has embraced the analytical nature of a difficult subject. She has approached her studies with a steely determination and good humour that often helped elaborate the understanding of those around her.”

Abbie said: “When I came to York College I didn’t expect to love the subject as much as I do, it has become the centre of my life for the last two years.

“The A-level course has captured my particular interest in child psychology, which is something I really want to pursue.”

Mrs Marks-Stuttle said: “Just like Abbie, my daughter had a love of psychology. I am pleased to be able to present this award on behalf of the foundation, which in some small way will enable Abbie to pursue a degree in the subject.”

Meanwhile, Huntington School has awarded its annual art bursary, donated by Caroline’s father, Alan Stuttle, to 18-year-old Hope Llewelyn-Jones.

The Alan Stuttle Art Bursary is an award made available to Year 13 art students at Huntington.

It is also in memory of Caroline, who was a keen art student while she was at the school, and Alan supports art students by offering a £500 art bursary.

Huntington teacher Cassandra Garbutt said: “Hope is an outstanding art student who is both extremely talented and hard working, we are extremely happy that she has won this honorable award.

“Hope is continuing her art studies in September at Aberystwyth University. She would like to use the bursary to visit Wales to develop her work, looking especially at the Welsh painter Augustus John.”