A MINER who switched careers when the pits closed is celebrating getting a degree at the age of 40.

Tony Williamson, of Wingate, in County Durham, worked at Easington Colliery for 15 years, first on the surface and then underground.

But he was made redundant in 1993, when the Tory Government axed most of the country's deep mines.

So he switched careers and became an occupational therapy assistant at Hartlepool General - now University Hospital.

He also went to college, passing GCSEs in maths, English and psychology and an AS level in biology.

Now he is one of the first students to complete York St John College's part-time BSc Occupational Therapy honours degree and graduated at a ceremony in York Minster.

Mr Williamson got on the course after taking a mature matriculation exam and interview and studied two days a week for four years.

"When I was made redundant I didn't know what to do, all I knew how to do was mine,'' he said.

"I would never have thought back then that I could have come so far. I really applied myself to this occupational therapy course.

"It was certainly hard work but now that I am graduating it was definitely worth it."

Mr Williamson is part of a rehabilitation team at Hartlepool Borough Council and is thinking of doing a master's degree.

A college spokesman said: "All of the students on the part-time occupational study degree were aged between 25 and 55, and came from many different walks of life including bricklaying, gardening and childcare.

"All of the students passed their final exams and are now working in occupational therapy.'