A PRESTON woman has scooped a top engineering award at a glitzy ceremony in London.

Gillian Beamish, 23, of Britannia Drive, Ashton, won a special merit in the Young Woman Engineer of the Year category for her work as an electrical engineer at BAE Systems Avionics in Warton.

The prize, given to her at a black-tie ceremony at the British Telecom Centre in London, was awarded after Gillian's consistent excellent work in the field since leaving St Mary's RC Technology College, Royal Avenue, Leyland, seven years ago.

Dedicated Gillian came close to winning a prize last year in the National Engineering Awards -- organised by the Institute of Incorporated Engineers -- after being placed fifth in the UK's top technician competition.

This year, when the award winner was announced, Gillian was in total shock.

"Thankfully I didn't have to give a speech on stage because it took me completely by surprise," she said. "I was really over-the-moon when they called my name out and was so pleased but shocked that I'd won."

During her seven-and-a-half years at BAE's Warton site, near Preston, Gillian has worked her way up the ranks from technical apprenticeship to studying engineering at degree level.

Now she is working toward a degree in computer aided engineering at the University of Central Lancashire and is currently designing the electrical systems for a fleet of RAF Tornado fighters.

Gillian puts her career success down to hard work and dedication. "You've got to be dedicated in this job," she said.

"I've always been very keen and I'm glad it's paid off."

BAE spokesperson Mike Sweeney said: "We're very proud of Gillian who has worked very hard to achieve her engineering ambitions. Engineering skills are in short supply, we're recruiting at the moment, so her skills are very valuable to us."