TEACHING student Gillian Dixon has overcome adversity including chronic illness and a stroke to graduate with first class honours.

Mum-of-one Gill, 40, of Knowsley Road in Eccleston, started her degree studies in 1999 whilst working for the university but took a break after giving birth to her son Joseph.

Shortly after this time, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis - a chronic form of inflammatory bowel disease. The severity of the disease was extreme and required extensive surgery.

Gill said: "Rare complications led to more than two years of requiring intravenous feeding. This also led to me contracting meningitis and suffering a stroke.

"I had no choice but to withdraw from my studies and retire from Edge Hill on the grounds of ill health."

After becoming well enough to go back to work as a teaching assistant, Gill was once again bitten by the "study bug" and she took steps towards accessing teacher training courses.

Having now completed her training and graduating with a distinction from Edge Hill University, Gill has started teaching at a St Helens primary school.

Gill, who thanked her husband Neil for his support throughout her studies, said: "The challenges throughout my four years of study have, at times, been vast.

"Attempting to juggle academic study, full-time work, family commitments and professional practice has required dedication and perseverance.

"If I were to give a message to anyone considering embarking on degree study, it would simply be: do it, it may just change your life!"