THE Olympic spirit is alive at an Amblecote college which is mixing award winning art with top class sport.

Students and staff at Glasshouse College are celebrating after winning the national Lloyd's TSB Spirit of The Torch competition in recognition of their commitment to the Olympic and Paralympics values.

Members of the Wollaston Road campus, which provides education for people aged 16 to 25 who have learning, behavioural and emotional difficulties, used their abilities in traditional crafts to create an Olympic torch symbolising the values of the games.

Gail Hickman, student council co-ordinator at the college, said: “The students are thrilled to have won the competition and are very proud of the torch. They deserve to win the competition following all the hard work they put into the torch."

The award-winning torch was created using skills taught at the college by making a glass trumpet, iron work to hold the glass, fire coloured glass beads and a flame made from felt.

The wooden handle was made of timber from the college's Kinver woodlands and the leather wrist strap was crafted in their leather work shop. The glass was engraved by students with the words Glasshouse College Olympics 2012.

To keep the Olympic theme going, the college is teaming up with Stourbridge Rugby Club for a series of sports events which will conclude with the Olympic-styled Glasshouse Games on Wednesday July 11 at the club's ground in Stourton.