MOTHER-of-three Jackie Cotterill grabbed her second chance at education with both hands to earn an Open University degree. OU graduate Jackie Cotterill.

Mrs Cotterill, 54, of Sanderling Court, Kidderminster, will be presented with her BA (Hons) Social Sciences qualification at Birmingham's Symphony Hall in June.

Her achievement is a reward for study spread over 10 years - often into the early hours of the morning - juggling assignments with a career and motherhood.

She is among several successful OU students in Wyre Forest.

The office manager with a public relations firm has spent most of her working life in office administration.

"When I left school, I hadn't any qualifications whatsoever,'' said Mrs Cotterill although she learned shorthand and typing at night school and also acquired three O levels.

When she began studying for her OU degree in her 40s, she felt it an ideal way to concentrate on subjects she would like to do, although it took a lot of dedication.

She said: "You have to study a lot at night and I'm lucky because I'm one of those people who doesn't need a lot of sleep.

" I'm quite wide awake at 10pm but you have always got a book in your hand.

"It can be very difficult to try and fit it all in."

She added: "I never, ever thought I would be good enough to pass the O levels, let alone complete a degree."

Other Wyre Forest people to achieve OU degrees were: Susan Holland, 39; Susan Williams, 39; Rachel Ayris, 33; Sharron Holt, 29; all Kidderminster.

Claudia Hopkirk, 35, Bewdley; Richard Galle, 55, Kevin Morris, 40, both Stourport; and Lynne Taylerson, 35, Clows Top.