AN APPRENTICE who joined a family business shortly after it was set up has won an award.

Jonny Little, who lives in Ampleforth and was a pupil at Ryedale School, started work at Kirks of Kilburn last summer and has just been awarded student of the year at York College.

Owner Lizzie Kirk, said: " We set up the business in Ampleforth in June 2016, my husband Chris is a chef with a background in fine dining and we are both from the local area.

"Our focus is on making the best quality food and most things are baked in house, including fresh bread daily. We have our everyday menu which is a selection of brunch items and sandwiches, as well as a daily changing specials board and we run Bistro evenings once a month."

Lizzie said: "Jonny started with us over the summer holidays in last year working out front before deciding to undertake an apprenticeship in catering and he started at York College in September 2016. He now assists Chris in the kitchen and he has just finished his first year. He is due to start the second year of his apprenticeship in September. He has been an absolutely invaluable member of our team, especially as we had our first baby in November so it has been all hands on deck at the coffee house."