UNIVERSITY student Connor Churchman has received a welcome boost for his research project.

Connor, 23, from Knutsford, is in the second year of a degree in English Language for Education at the University of Manchester.

He has been awarded the Knutsford Town Council’s Millennium Bursary for 2020, which is £545.

This year’s decision panel was Town Mayor Cllr Andrew Malloy and Lydia Barclay from Knutsford Lions.

Knutsford Lions also made a supplementary bursary of £200 to Alexander Lunnon, who is studying history at the University of Oxford.

The Millennium Bursary is made annually to a student from Knutsford who is in their second year of university, providing funds towards their final year project/dissertation.

The bursary was introduced in 2000, and was the idea of the then Mayor Jennifer Holbrook.

The bursary is awarded in partnership with the Knutsford Lions.

Connor thanked the council for the bursary, which he said would help him to complete his research project.

Cllr Malloy said: “It was delightful to speak to four knowledgeable and enthusiastic bursary applicants and read their detailed applications, which made it especially difficult to select just one to award the bursary to.

“We hope the awardee is able to put the money to good use, to help them support their studies.

“We wish the others all the best in their studies, we're convinced they will do well.

“We would encourage more students to apply to this fund each year, the application and interview process is great practice for post studies.”