A FORMER RAF dental nurse is flying high after getting her teeth into a new career challenge.

Fiona King, 42, of Ferryhill, secured distinctions across all Level 3 units in her Access to Higher Education course at Bishop Auckland College - putting her in the top 5 per cent in the country.

She also achieved a Grade 9 in her GCSE English Language exam.

“To achieve your dreams you have to take the first step through the college door,” she said. “It’s never too late to learn.”

Mrs King was born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea but spent most of her childhood growing up in South Africa.

Aged 19 she returned to the UK to live in Scotland and joined the RAF, training as a dental nurse.

During this time she met her husband who was also in the Armed Forces.

After five years’ service in the RAF, Fiona worked full time as a carer but had always wanted to go to university.

After moving to Ferryhill two years ago, she spotted an advert about an open evening at the college.

She went along and signed up to the course.

After receiving her results last week, Mrs King is on course to fulfilling her dream as she has been accepted onto the BA Hons Degree in English (Creative Writing) at the University of Sunderland.

Tutor Dennese Bloomer said: “Fiona demonstrated her talent for creative writing early on during the course and one of her poems entitled ‘Reflections’ was published on the Holocaust Memorial official website.”

For details about the course call 0800 092 6506 or visit bacoll.ac.uk