A student from the University of Warwick has been named the National  Engineering Undergraduate of the Year 2009. 

Mechanical Engineering student Tom Astley, who is about to enter his final year at Warwick, took the prize at the TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards . 

Tom entered the competition by completing an online test and  two essay-based questions. Hundreds of students entered from all over the country and 40 were shortlisted. 

The shortlisted students were then interviewed by the award sponsors npower and just ten were invited to attend the awards ceremony, held at Grosvenor House, Park Lane. 

Tom received his award from the awards host comedian Alan Carr. He also received £3,000 from npower to be paid in instalments throughout his final year at Warwick. 

Tom said: "I am delighted, I entered because I wanted to push myself that bit further. I didn't imagine I would win and the extra money will be a real help in my final year of study." 

Notes to editorsFor more information, contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison, Communications Officer, University of Warwick, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, 02476 150483, 07824 540863.