AN 18-year-old Worcester student whose mother died of cancer shortly before he started his course has been shortlisted for a Vocational Achievement Award.

Mark Szortowski, who earned distinctions in all eight of his first-year modules at Worcester College of Technology, is among six hopefuls in line for an Edexcel Achievement in Education Award 2002.

If he wins the award, sponsored by educational publishers Heinemann, he will receive £1,000 to spend on an educational item or activity of his choice and another £1,000 for the college.

He will also be entered for the Outstanding Student of the Year Award with the chance to win another £4,000 for himself and a similar amount for his college.

Mark, of Browning Road, Ledbury, is in the second year of a BTEC National Diploma in Public Services.

"He is an extremely committed and motivated student," said Pat Lovell, head of business and office technology.

Mark's mother died of cancer shortly before he started the course in September 2000 and Mark has been looking after his brother and sister, both aged 16, on weekdays while their father is in Algeria, working for an oil firm.

He also gives support to his elderly grandparents, who are in poor health.

To add to his difficulties, Mark suffers from dyspraxia, a developmental condition that can lead to poor balance and lack of manual dexterity.

"It's been quite hard, but we have had to make it work and pull together," said Mark.

Outside college, he runs a youth club for 10 and 11-year-olds every Friday, volunteers as a classroom assistant at Wyche Church of England Primary School, Malvern, and is a first aid volunteer with the British Red Cross, Ledbury branch.

He has been offered places at several universities and plans to go to University College Worcester, to study for an honours degree in primary education and qualify as a teacher.

The Edexcel Achievement Awards will be presented in July.