FINAL year Harper Adams University student, Laura Bowyer, has been named as the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society/Harper Cymru Student of the Year 2015.

"I am delighted to have been chosen as the winner after a tough application and interview process," said Laura, 22, from Usk, who is due to graduate in September with a BSc (Hons) degree in Agri-business.

"I would like to thank the judges for giving me this vote of confidence."

Raised on a mixed beef and sheep farm, Laura is an active member of Usk Young Farmers.

During her second year at Harper Adams she was both treasurer of the Harper Cymru club for students from Wales and chairman of the Harper Forum Society, which organises regular industry-related talks and debates for the student body.

Applying for the award Laura wrote: "Although no longer sitting on the Harper Cymru committee, I am still an active member of the society, attending most meetings and sometimes being asked for advice and support on the running of the club.

"With my experience gained on placement in copywriting, I wrote the Harper Cymru page in the 2015 yearbook and hope that the memories included will be reminisced on by members in many years' time.

"I hope Harper Cymru is supported and enjoyed in the future as much as it has been by me throughout my four years' of university life.

"Friends are made here for life, and will be kept in touch with into the future – as we all know, you bump into everyone at the Royal Welsh Show, markets and other agricultural events within Wales."

Announcing Laura as the winner, judges Sion Williams and Hefin Richards, said: "Laura, your passion and commitment to the farming industry, and desire to communicate to the industry became clear to us both as the interview progressed.

"Your involvement in the Harper Forum and Harper Cymru highlighted your commitment to agriculture and to Wales – you can be justifiably proud of your efforts - congratulations."