Fending off competition from multi-million pound companies, the Falmouth-based Phoenix Project scooped a silver award at the Oscars of the learning and development industry, hosted by newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky. at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

The team came second in the Learning Team of the Year category at the Learning and Performance Institute’s annual awards.

“This is the pinnacle for the Phoenix Project in its 12 years of existence,” said firefighter Charlie Philpott, who is a senior instructor on the course.

“It’s an amazing achievement especially considering the group we were up against. The project is going from strength to strength, its destiny is in our own hands. We can make it bigger and more successful going forward.”

The Phoenix Project works with school children and adults to raise their aspirations and self confidence and help them fulfil their potential. It is run by a small team – Charlie Philpott, Katie Rollason, Tony McGuire, Ian Laurie, Sam Spooner and Heidi Perry – from Falmouth Fire Station, pictured right, although it now operates across the county.