A MOTHER-OF-FOUR who gave up a career in art to look after her children has been awarded a place at university.

Jacquie Dinsdale decided to return to college last September on the Art and Design - Access to Higher Education course at Stockton Riverside College.

Ms Dinsdale, 37, achieved a grade A in her art A-level, but with four children, now aged 17, 14, 11 and four, she had other priorities.

She has received an offer from Sunderland University to study for a BA (Hons) degree in art and design.

Ms Dinsdale said: "I'd had a desire to return to my art a long time, but the moment never seemed to be right. Then, last summer, I saw the access course and it inspired me to get in touch with the college. Now just a few months later, I can hardly believe that my work is in a public exhibition and I'll soon be starting my degree."

Her work is on show at the Arc in Stockton until the end of this month.