THE Isle of Man branch of the National Decorative and Fine Arts Society (NADFAS) has awarded its 2011 bursary for young people studying the arts.

Alex Beadle, who studied at King William's College, and Tamara Halsall, who studied at Isle of Man College, will receive £250 each.

It's the second time the NADFAS has awarded the bursary which is advertised to young people in the Guide to Student Awards for those applying to university.

NADFAS is an arts-based charity with more than 340 branches in the British Isles. The Isle of Man branch has more than 300 members and its aims are to promote the appreciation of arts, help in arts education of young people and conserve heritage.

Its main function locally is to provide a series of arts lectures as well as to organise visits of a cultural nature.

Two years ago it instigated a £250 bursary for school leavers who are going on to study art or an arts-related subject such as architecture or photography.

This year the bursary was increased to £500 and the calibre of applicants has led to two students sharing the award.

Alex Beadle is studying a BA in digital animation at University College Falmouth while Tamara Halsall is studying a BA in photography at Nottingham Trent University.

The picture shows the recipients Tamara and Alex along with three members of the committee, from left: Jonathan Latimer, Pamela Martin and chairman Anne Lee