A LECTURER has been short-listed for an award that recognises unsung heroes.

Denise Hardy, from Guisborough, is a further education lecturer in counselling and teacher training at Redcar and Cleveland College.

She has been short-listed for the further education tutor of the year category in the Star awards, which recognise the achievements of people working in the learning and skills sector.

She was chosen from more than 1,600 nominations and has been invited to attend the national awards ceremony in London, on Tuesday.

The ceremony will be attended by Education Secretary Charles Clarke and Culture Minister Kim Howells, and hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Dermot Murnaghan.

Mrs Hardy, 48, said: "It's only just hitting me that I've been shortlisted.

"I was nominated by a colleague and student. It's a great honour and I'm very excited about going to the ceremony."

Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson, from Redcar, who endorses the awards, said: "The Star Awards are important because everyone likes to be told they've done a good job and have contributed to others' success."

To find out more about the Star awards visit www.dfes.gov.uk/ starawards.