A BRAVE mum has battled against the pain barrier to earn a degree with the Open University.

Joan Bryant (52) from Sutton Heath, suffers from a spinal condition, as a result of tranquilliser withdrawal, which means she is constantly in pain and unable to attend a conventional university.

After passing two A Levels in 1984, Joan first attempted to study for her Social Sciences degree at Liverpool University in 1985 but was forced to leave because of her illness.

Then in 1991 she began six years of hard work at home and was finally rewarded for her efforts when she gained an impressive 2:1 in her BA (Hons) degree in Social Sciences.

The former Grange Park pupil told the Star: "It has been a very long and drawn-out process,practically spanning 15 years, but I'm over the moon that I have finally passed. This has given me a real sense of personal achievement and has helped to take my mind off my painful condition."

Other successful Open University students in the St Helens area include Police Superintendent Kenneth Bridson (BSc Hons); Stephen Dudley, a project engineer (BSc Hons); Maureen Hackett, a residential support officer (BSc Hons.); nursery nurse Janet Leonard (BSc Hons); commissioning engineer Mike Marriott (BSc Hons.); and teachers Margaret Markey, (BSc Hons.) and Cemlyn Roberts (BSc Hons).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.