AN entrepreneur who re-trained after leaving school with no qualifications has won a national accolade.

Stephanie Pedley had no qualifications. After joining a taxi company in South Tyneside she realised the route to success lay in returning to college. After completing courses in English, maths, business and computer studies, she returned to Bridge Way Taxis in South Shields - as its owner and manager.

Her efforts have been recognised with an Outstanding Individual Learner Award (North East) at the National Adult Learners Awards.

She said: "The benefits of accessing adult education gave me the skills and the confidence to move from employee to employer.

"Adult learning is a second chance for people like me to work towards qualifications they may have thought previously impossible."

Chris Roberts, regional director of the Learning and Skills Council, said: "Stephanie is an excellent example of someone who took the plunge and completely changed her life through learning."