THE first certificate has been awarded to a student in English for speakers of other languages at Stockton Borough Council adult education service.

Wided Mhir came to Stockton four years ago from her native Tunisia after failing to pass her high school exams.

After only six months in the UK, she decided to start studying again, even though she was helping with the family business and caring for her young baby.

She enrolled with the adult education service at Stockton's International Family Centre, and started attending computer courses at Stockton and Billingham College.

She has gained two accreditations in her computer class and is the first student on her course to receive a City and Guilds Pitman advanced certificate in English.

Ms Mhir also took a New Start for Women course, which led her to an access course at the University of Teesside, where she is now a full-time student.

She intends to follow this with a degree in computing, in the autumn.

Kathy Howard, of the Stockton adult education service, said: "She has done remarkably well through her determination."