FORMER East Durham College student and call centre worker Natasha King is still pinching herself after starting a five year course studying medicine at Durham University.

Natasha, 27, from Peterlee, studied at the Peterlee-based college back in 2011-2012 on the one year Access to Higher Education course whilst working in a local call centre.

Following her successful completion of the college course, with distinction grades, Natasha managed to secure a place at Durham University in 2012/13 to study on their one year Medicine with Foundation course, which provides a preparation year for non-traditional students entering medicine.

Natasha is one of only six foundation students to go on and win a coveted place to study medicine on the five year MBBS Medical programme at the Russell Group university's Queen's Campus at Stockton-on-Tees.