STUDENT Katy Standish's achievements at university have won national recognition.

Ms Standish, who lives in Belgium, was awarded a degree in environment and development at a Durham University ceremony yesterday, and earned her a place in the 2004 Real World Graduate final. She reached the final because of the contribution she made to the university and the community during her three years as a student at the university's Queen's Campus, in Stockton.

Ms Standish took an active part in life at the university's John Snow College as international officer and senior Durham Students' Union representative.

She also worked as a volunteer with the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, helping to plant trees and hedgerows in nature reserves and parks, and spent a summer in the Indonesian rainforests as a volunteer on scientific and social research projects. She also mentored schoolchildren to help them achieve their full potential.

Ms Standish said: "I feel that during my undergraduate degree I have followed my college's unofficial motto 'Get involved'."

College principal Professor Martyn Evans said: "Katy is a committed, able and highly-motivated student, a credit to John Snow College, and a great ambassador for the university. We wish her all the best for the future."

Ms Standish is to study for a masters degree in geography at Cambridge University.