A "SHY" mother is celebrating after landing a new role working on a multi-million pound education contract.

Lynn Coffey, 31, is the senior administration officer for E-Learning North-East.

The company, based at Sunderland University's St Peter's campus, manages a network of 64 learning centres from Berwick to Teesside, on behalf of learndirect.

It offers a regional network of online learning and information services.

Mrs Coffey applied for the post after spending time at the company, as part of a six-month NVQ business administration course at the Sunderland training centre of the North-East Chamber of Commerce (NECC).

When it advertised administration officer and senior administration officer posts, she applied for both. "I was in shock for weeks when they gave me the senior post," she said.

"It was such a big change to my life as I haven't worked for three years and before that I was just a barmaid. I have come far since then."

Before signing up for the NVQ course, she spent three years at home in Sunderland, bringing up two daughters.

Applying for the two jobs was a major step as her NECC trainers identified she lacked confidence.

Freda Hackett, training advisor at the NECC's Sunderland training centre, said: "When Lynn came to us she had really low self-esteem - she was so shy. We were over the moon when she got the job with E-Learning North-East because it meant so much for her and her young family."