A FORMER cleaner who ditched her dusters to go back to school is taking the first steps in a new career.

Single mother Elizabeth Cassidy, from Consett, decided to get back in the classroom after working at the town's Derwentside College as a cleaner. The move paid off and she now has a permanent job with an accountancy firm.

"As a cleaner at the college, I admired the staff at work there," she said.

"I looked at them as people with healthy prospects and secure jobs. A friend of mine, who is also a single parent, had gone back to college and done really well.

"They all encouraged me to get back into education and with that has come a stable job and income, the chance to progress in a professional field and provide for my daughter."

Having enrolled for a number of qualifications - now completed - she has started a new job as an administrator with Harland & Company Accountants, in Consett, and is hoping to climb further up the professional career ladder.

Her progress has been highlighted as a success story in the lead up to Adult Learners' Week this month.

Heather Milburn, of Derwentside College, said: "We're already hearing very positive feedback from Harlands on her progress. She deserves all the success which comes her way."

Adult Learners' Week runs from May 15 to 21. It aims to showcase adult achievement and promote learning in the North-East, by offering a range of taster courses.

For more details, call learndirect on 0800 100 900, or visit the website, www.alw. org.uk/calendar