WORCESTER'S CrownGate shopping centre manager Carolyn Mantle has started the new year in fine style.

She has come top in the country in the British Council of Shopping Centres diploma in shopping centre management.

Carolyn recently completed two years studying with the College of Estate Management in Reading.

The course, which has been developed specifically for shopping centre managers, covers a wide range of retail subjects including business management, planning

and design, marketing, law and shopping centre development.

"I am absolutely delighted that all of my hard work has paid off," she said. "To achieve the best results in my year is just fantastic."

Carolyn will attend an awards ceremony to receive her diploma plus a £200 prize to celebrate her success at The Ironmongers Hall, Barbican, London, on Wednesday, February 8.

The distance-learning curriculum featured nine modules and a retail project, plus a round of challenging assignments and teaching seminars and examinations.