Property student Oliver Lovat has been honoured by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for his outstanding work.

A qualified chartered surveyor, Mr Lovat, 33, completed a master's in property investment at the College of Estate Management, University of Reading. He recently picked up the RICS London and South East student award.

North London-based Mr Lovat used to work for the William Pears Group but left in 2008. He tells People: "The market was terrible so I decided to go back to studying." He is now running his own property company, Aberdare Thistle. What does he make of the property market? "Interesting. It's a great big bundle of the unknown out there.

"Whatever happens, people will always require property, but it is going to be tough."

Commenting on the award, the Glaswegian says: "It is nice to know that your studies get recognised when you work hard."