Two students will receive a helping hand with paying for their university studies from London City Airport.

The airport’s University Prize Scheme provides a £2,000 bursary for each year of a three year course, as well as management mentors and paid work experience.

The lucky students selected to join the scheme in the 2013/14 academic year are Michelle Appeah from East Ham and Lorraine James from Stratford.

Now in its ninth year, the scheme has awarded more than £200,000 in grants to local students since it began.

Liam McKay, Head of CSR at London City Airport said: “The University Prize Scheme is designed to help local young people realise their potential. Michelle and Lorraine have excellent academic ability, but of equal importance in their selection was their attitude to learning and their ambitions for the future. I’m confident that they will all embrace and benefit from the opportunities offered to them through the scheme.”

Michelle Appeah, 18, from East Ham, is going to study Geography at the University of Leeds. Her ambition is to work in international relations to tackle geopolitical controversies, with the knowledge of environmental aspects. She feels ‘fortunate and honoured’ to be selected for the scheme, which she feels will enable her to learn outside of university life and gain new experience.

Lorraine James, 19 from Stratford, will be studying German with Management Studies at University College London. She wants to work in business consultancy and finance after graduating. She is ‘delighted’ to have been picked for the scheme, which she feels will give her opportunities to use her language skills.