PAINTER and decorator Allan Metcalfe is looking at a classroom career after getting his BSc in maths and physics.

Mr Metcalfe, from Durham, was among hundreds of Open University graduates from the North-East and Cumbria to receive their certificates from pro-vice Chancellor Allan Cochrane at a ceremony in Newcastle.

Mr Metcalfe said: "How do I feel to have graduated? Delighted that I have achieved so much and really pleased to have had the opportunity to confirm the achievement with the tradition of the graduation day."

Allan, 53, has been self-employed for 19 years, but has an ambition to teach maths to secondary school pupils. He decided he wanted to do something that was completely different to his work but would fit in with his life.

"The OU gave me the flexibility to work from home, in my own time and at my own pace - so I signed up. The courses have all been hard work, fun, stressful, tiring and rewarding.

"It has been encouraging and satisfying to be able to achieve so much.''

Allan has enrolled on an OU post-graduate education certificate and is waiting to find a school in which to train.