Josie Good and Maike Rotermund are celebrating a double achievement after graduating from the University of Brighton and winning a cash prize from Sussex-based American Express.

Josie received a certificate and a cheque for £250 from Jo Crockett, public relations and communications manager at American Express, after being named the best final year BA (hons) student in the finance and law category.

Maike, from Germany, who was awarded the best final-year student in the business category, was unable to attend the prizegiving but said she had enjoyed her time in Brighton and would be returning soon.

Ms Crockett said: "This it the tenth year we have sponsored these prizes and we're delighted to recognise the outstanding achievements of winning students."

Josie, who has not decided what to do with the prize money, hopes to stay in Brighton and is applying for trainee accountant positions.

It is her second award victory - recently she also took a £200 prize for Best Financial Reporting Student given by the Brighton office of accountants Mazars Neville Russell.