STUDENT Bridie O'Donnell has won a personal battle by coming top in her exams - despite her husband being at wa in Iraq.

The 27-year-old failed her English language exam at school, but needed the qualification to fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher.

Mrs O'Donnell, of Brompton-on-Swale, near Catterick, took evening classes in the subject at the Darlington College site at Catterick, while also studying for her PGCE teaching qualification at Durham.

In the middle of her courses the war began in Iraq and her husband Jim, a colour sergeant in the Army, was posted to the front line with 1 Paratroop Regiment.

"It was a pretty intense time, especially over Christmas," said Mrs O'Donnell, who is hoping to teach drama. "But everything seems to have come up roses."

Mrs O'Donnell not only gained an A* in English language, overcoming the final hurdle to qualifying as a teacher, but her marks were among the top five in the country.

At the same time, she has obtained her PGCE teaching qualification and, most importantly of all, her husband returned from the Gulf unscathed.

With all the qualifications she needs, Mrs O'Donnell is now looking for a teaching post in Dover, where her husband's regiment is based.

Her ambition is to open a theatre school.