A PART-TIME student at Teesside University is celebrating after she was awarded a prize for women in engineering.

Sharon Lane, 22, of Gunnergate Lane, Marton, Middlesbrough, achieved a Higher National Certificate in mechanical and production engineering, and the Cecil M Yuill Prize for achievement by a female student in any field of engineering.

Ms Lane is now working as a mechanical engineer modern apprentice for Tees Components, Skelton, which sponsored her studies. She was delighted with the £500 prize.

"I've just got married, so the money will be a great help. The letter informing me of the award came as a really nice surprise, even before I found out about the prize money.

"I felt extremely flattered, as there are many women studying in various fields of engineering at the university, particularly in civil and chemical engineering," said Ms Lane.

After gaining four A-Levels in maths, French, English literature and general studies from Stokesley School, Ms Lane started her engineering career at Teesside Training Enterprises, in Middlesbrough, and went on to gain National Vocational Qualifications, and took part in a two-week work programme in France.

Ms Lane plans to continue with her part-time studies on an Beng (Hons) design engineering course at Teesside University, before planning a career as a chartered design engineer.

"I have always been interested in mechanics and wanted a career that involved maths, computers, communications and creativity," she said.

"Working in engineering has also helped me to use foreign languages through communication with European suppliers and clients.