COMMITMENT and effort have earned two Wyre Forest women places in the finals of a regional contest rewarding learning achievements.

Mother-of-three, Vander Browning, of Kidderminster and 19-year-old Rosanna Humpage, of Bewdley, will compete for a share of the £1,500 prize fund up for grabs at the Learning Achievement Awards later this month.

They will be up against other finalists at the awards ceremony, organised by the Learning and Skills Council for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, on Thursday, March 23 at Malvern Theatres.

Mrs Browning, 27, of Severn Grove, said she never expected to be picked as a finalist in the community-based learner category but was looking forward to the contest.

As a dyslexic, she started her adult learning in order to help her children and took a basic literacy and numeracy course at the Oldington and Foley Park Community Network.

She then became a volunteer mentor, supporting others getting back to education, while still attending courses herself.

Mrs Browning continued during her third pregnancy and despite her husband suffering a car accident which left him wheelchair-bound during his recovery.

She is now a learning ambassador and administration assistant at the network and vice-chairman of the Sure Start board in Kidderminster.

Qualified fitness instructor, Miss Humpage, of Northwood Lane, is a finalist in the apprenticeship category, having started work as a trainee at the Sands Health Club in Kidderminster.

After gaining PE qualifications and completing an exercise and fitness gym-based apprenticeship last March she now works in the health club and gym at Stourport Manor Hotel and the Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre in Kidderminster, advising clients to help them make a difference to their lifestyles.

"I am really excited about the finals," said Miss Humpage, who is currently on an apprenticeship in group exercise with music and wan