A SUCCESSFUL Open University graduate was rewarded for her years of hard work when she received her degree.

Deborah Brockbank was among 727 Midlands students who were presented with their awards by Baroness Boothroyd of Sandwell at The Symphony Hall, Birmingham, last Saturday.

The 50-year-old, who is a disabled/part-time voluntary carer from Cofton Church Lane, Rednal, obtained a BSc honours in health and social care.

"Having left school at 15 with no qualifications, due to ill health, I have trundled through life never feeling very clever," said Deborah.

"Over the past ten years I have helped two friends with the editing of their assignments for nursing degrees. It occurred to me I would enjoy producing similar work.

"I was 44 and I calculated that if I started an OU degree then I would hopefully complete in time to celebrate my graduation and 50th birthday with a wow party," she added.

David Evans, an information technology technical trainer now from Northampton and until very recently from Breakback Road in Bromsgrove, received a BSc honours in computing and mathematical science.

The 28-year-old said: "I have enjoyed the experience. These past three years have been some of the most intense and yet exciting years with my wife giving birth to our first son during my first year of studies and then our second son during the third year.

"Growing as a family motivated me to do my best, so my children would have a father to be proud of," he added.

David will receive his award at Milton Keynes on July 5.

The Birmingham ceremony was one of a series of more than 20 being held across the UK this year.