Four Afghan asylum seekers who spoke barely any English when they arrived in Britain have been awarded for their progress at school.

The students were among 70 Bradford youngsters recognised at the Education Achievement Awards for Children in Care.

Zaman Akbary, 16, who lives with foster parents in the city and is a pupil at Queensbury School, came to England from Afghanistan four years ago.

He said: “It’s been a great opportunity for me to make a better life. I want to be a police officer after I leave school.”

Omaid Ullah Badar, also 16, passed 11 GCSEs last year, just six months after arriving in England, and hopes to become a heart surgeon.

He was initially cared for at a Bradford Council foster home and now lives independently in Leeds while he studies for a diploma in health and social care at Shipley College.

Ahmad Utmanzi, 17, who lives with his cousin in Bradford, passed eight GCSEs last year and is now studying for a diploma in business with a view to becoming to an accountant.

Mohammed Taqi, 17, also received an award at the ceremony, run by Bradford Council and Education Bradford.

Read more on this story in today's T&A.