AN Open University student was so impressed with her course that she plans to become a lecturer.

Barbara Passmore, who works in the resettlement division of Durham area probation service, embarked on an MBA with the Open University business school to progress in her career.

Having graduated from the course, she has gone from being a practitioner to a middle manager.

Now she hopes her MBA will take her into senior management.

Meanwhile, she plans to become an associate lecturer, taking up her first teaching post at a residential summer school next month.

Mrs Passmore, who lives just outside Durham City with her daughter Holly, 21, and son Tom, 18, said: "I liked the Open University so much that I wanted to play a larger part in it."

After taking her first degree in biological sciences, Mrs Passmore embarked on a PhD in agricultural chemistry, although the birth of her children prevented her from completing her thesis.

She entered the probation service on a part-time basis.

She said: "I qualified as a probation officer in 1994, gaining an MA in applied social sciences and DipSw at the University of Durham.

"But I didn't have the length of experience in the service of many of my colleagues, so wanted valuable theory to add to my experience.

"I chose the Open University because it suited my learning style and could fit round my family and job," she said.

Successful students from the Open University's business school were recognised at the Longhirst awards, in Morpeth, Northumberland, recently.