A FORMER seamstress has swapped her sewing machine for a computer after being made redundant.

Suzanne Cheeseborough, 41, from Town End Farm, in Sunderland, worked at Dewhirsts clothing factory in Leechmere, Sunderland, for 14 years before it closed in May, making her and her mother redundant.

She also lost her childminder as her sister decided to go into full-time work.

In the hope of finding a job that would fit around her five-year-old daughter Chloe's school hours and not involve nights or weekends, Mrs Cheeseborough turned to Sunderland and Gateshead-based Access Training.

She enrolled on the Freshstart course, designed to fit around family commitments, and learned computer skills, gained office experience, and received help to find a job.

Soon after completing the course, she landed a job as an administrative assistant at Hylton Castle Primary School, which fits in perfectly with her daughter's schedule.

She said: "The course has really helped me. I particularly appreciated meeting up with other mothers in the same position as me and also the key skills we learned.

"I completed my advanced computing qualification and the work placement got me this job, which was the best part."

Course trainer Christine Chun said: "We aim to give participants up-to-date IT skills for today's workplace and the confidence to realise they can compete in the jobs market."

For more information on the course, which is open to anyone aged 18 to 65 who is unemployed or works less than 16 hours a week, contact Christine Chun or Julie Reay on 0191-487 4454.