Student Amy Parkes has succeeded where so many others have failed she's taken on Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson and won!

The 20-year-old from Baxenden not only calmly braved the fiery queen of put-downs, she also walked away as the winner when appearing on the BBC quiz show.

And the former pupil of St Mary's College, Blackburn, and All Saints' Catholic Language College in Rawtenstall said she was more bothered about the speed of the quick-fire questions than any sarcastic comment coming from the ginger hostess's acid tongue!

Anne Robinson immediately hit upon Amy's Lancashire accent as a source of amusement, but in fact Newcastle University English student Amy can report that Anne is a pussycat in real life, and took time to congratulate East Lancashire's newest quiz star after the show. Amy, whose family, including parents Jeanette and Dave, live in Baxenden, said: "It was a bit scary but all right in the end. I thought I gave as good as I got to Anne. It's her job to belittle you and make you look stupid but I thought I held my own.

"The main thing that she picked up on was my accent because I'm from Lancashire but I thought I handled it quite well. She was not as nasty as people make out. I think it's all a bit of an act but that's what the show is about and she has to keep that image. I think she's a pussycat really!"

Amy pocketed £2,770 in winnings and revealed she has now put the cash into a savings account.

Amy was 19 when the show was filmed, in March, at the legendary Pinewood Studios, near London the home of the James Bond movies. She is planning to use some of her prize money on a holiday or party for her friends.

Sarah Flannigan, marketing director at St Mary's College where Amy spent two happy years gaining four straight As at A-level, said: "Amy wasn't only very bright but a real enthusiast as well.

"It's no surprise that she won because she is so nice no-one would want to vote her off."