A school is celebrating after discovering that six out of 20 finalists in a national fashion competition come from King’s Ely.

The 2016 National Fashion and Textiles Competition saw designs by Emily Claxton, Hollie Parker, Eleanor Mortimer and Jessica Nurse and two pieces by Mia Takahara shortlisted for the competition.

Alison Rhodes, director of art, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the school and our students, considering it is a national competition with only 20 pieces shortlisted.

“We have had entries shortlisted every year but this is the most to date.”

She added: “Our stand at the exhibition will showcase our students’ beautiful work. This is a wonderful opportunity to make links with valuable contacts that we use as part of their university applications.

“Many of the links we make then visit King’s Ely to present workshops to our students. These include the embroiderer Diane Bates and milliner Lauren Martin.”

The event was established to celebrate the achievements of young fashion and textiles students aged 16 to 19.

Shortlisted pieces will be exhibited at the Olympia knitting and stitching show in London in March where the winning entries will be judged.

Work by the school’s Year 12 and 13 students will be on display at the school’s stand (G40) for the duration of the exhibition, which takes place from March 3-6.