A business studies graduate got more than she bargained for when she won the inaugural prize for best Brighton Business School marketing communications student .

Madeline Stoneman received a certificate and a cheque for £100 from public relations company The Priory Partnership, which also offered her two weeks' work experience in its Brighton offices.

Madeline, who is from Coventry, will return to Brighton later this month to gain practical experience working on some of Priory's accounts, which include American Express and the Sussex Learning and Skills Council.

She said: "This was really unexpected but a very welcome surprise.

"It will give me a practical insight into a different aspect of PR and be a useful addition to my CV."

Thursday August 14, 2003