RETURNING to books proved the best course for Mrs Sylvia Notarianni, aged 56, of Darlington.

After resuming academic studies in middle age, she is about to receive an adult learners' award for her achievements.

Mrs Notarianni, of Oakdene Avenue, is one of six regional winners who will receive certificates at a ceremony at Bowes museum's Spanish gallery next Friday.

She was in her early 40s when she returned to study, opting for courses offered by the Darlington branch of the Workers' Educational Association at Bennett House.

She said: "I originally intended to find part-time work when my children started secondary school, but found it difficult without qualifications. I also lost confidence as I had lost my hearing in one ear.

"Initially I joined a Return to Learn class at the WEA as an introduction to adult learning without the pressure of assessment. The classes are very relaxed and good for meeting people."

Other leisure classes followed and she gained her a GCSE in English.

As her confidence and skills grew she joined an Access course and, encouraged by her tutors, applied for and won a place at Northumbria university at Newcastle.

"I graduated in 1999 at the age of 54 and, once again motivated by my tutor, I am now doing a part-time PhD, researching the representation of older women in the English novel," she said.

Mrs Notarianni's degree sealed an academic hat-trick for the family. Her son Tony and daughter Amanda both graduated from Sunderland university the year before.

As part of her PhD, she is studying works by 18th century authors such as Henry Fielding, Samuel Richardson, Daniel Defoe, Fanny Burney and one of the earliest women playwrights, Aphra Benn.

She said: "Most feminist criticism tends to concentrate on younger women in novels rather than older women. I thought it would be interesting to look at more mature women in novels from the 18th century, which is when the English novel first developed.

"I have to say they are not presented in a very positive way."

As well as carrying on with her studies, Mrs Notarianni has gained a qualification to teach adult learning classes and hopes to start teaching English literature at the WEA in Darlington next year.

She said: "I would like to pass on what I have learned and hope to encourage others to move on to more challenging courses."