Two Wyre Forest women are

celebrating after obtaining Open University degrees. Claire Tranter and Robina Burford are now looking forward to their

graduation ceremonies at Birmingham's Symphony Hall on June 25.

KIDDERMINSTER mother, Claire Tranter, has overcome obstacles - including a car crash - to successfully complete her BA course in humanities and literature.

The full-time nursery nurse began studying to reach her goal of becoming a primary school teacher.

The 36-year-old, who lives in Stourbridge Road, battled against the odds to complete the degree, which even meant she sat an exam with broken ribs following the major car accident, which involved her whole family.

Mrs Tranter said: "It was a traumatic time for all of us after the crash. I was in so much pain that I had to sleep in a chair for six months after the accident.

"I just didn't have time to have a break from studying because I had assignments to complete."

Her proud children, Jodie, Ashleigh and Lance, have supported her through her studies, as has her husband, Bryn.

Mrs Tranter believed that anybody thinking of trying a similar course in the future should "definitely do it".

She said: "You have just got to have the confidence in yourself to go and try it. If you never try, then you will never know."

She plans to carry on studying towards her masters in literature and on the graduate teacher-training programme.

RETIRED teacher, Robina Burford, is planning to put her Spanish degree to good use on a forthcoming trip to South America.

The 66-year-old, from Hazelwood Close, Kidderminster, was inspired to take the course to help the Worcester diocese with its mission in Peru.

Miss Burford said: "I was asked to help translate when some people from Peru came to visit the diocese a few years ago. They spoke no English whatsoever and it was a bit of a struggle.

"I will be visiting some of the poorest areas in Lima, the capital city of Peru, in August so it will definitely help me," she added.

To help with her studies, the lay reader has been travelling around the world gaining "practical experience".

Her long list of destinations include Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands.

Delighted Miss Burford, who was a teacher for 35 years, described the experience as "enjoyable".

She said: "The flexibility of the course really helped me because you can arrange it to fit into your life."