COMBINING study with work has paid off for a Kidderminster College mature student who has been judged best among hundreds for a special project.

Sharon Kingdon, 40, earned a regional award for a work-based project to evaluate her employer's telephone system so a better, more cost-effective service could be provided.

She has been awarded the Highest Standard of Work award by the National Examining Board for Supervision and Management (NEBSM).

Students for NEBSM accreditation must study part-time, while working.

Sharon, of Sutton Park Road, Kidderminster, is an office and materials manager for Droitwich-based furniture company Sauvagnat (UK).

She said: "The worst thing was having to combine it with work but to my surprise it paid off. I didn't even know they had awards for it.

" I'm chuffed to bits - it was a total surprise."

Her course covered topics including managing people, activities, reports and resources.