A FORMER Tabor Academy pupil was taken by surprise when he was told he was set for a special prize at his university graduation - just hours before the ceremony.

Ryan Finlayson was chosen for the award for his outstanding contribution to the college of engineering and technology at the University of Derby.

The 21-year-old who lives in Thistledown, Panfield, has spent the past three years studying sound, light and live event technology and is now set for a technician role at Disney Cruise Line.

Sarah Finlayson, his mother, said: "We're very proud of him, he's helped out with the lighting and sound at university events like the carol concert and that hard work has paid off.

"We had no idea when we went up there that he was going to get his and neither did he.

"He was given a card which said he had won this award but it wasn't until we looked in the programme that we realised there was only one."

He was nominated by one of his tutors but was chosen for the award by the university's vice-chancellor Kathryn Mitchell.