A PART-TIME health worker and university student has achieved a unique double at a British industry award ceremony.

Lisa Kennedy was named student of the year, and won an award for outstanding practical performance, at the British Academy of Audiology Awards 2007.

Ms Kennedy, 24, a worker at Darlington Memorial Hospital, received the first honour after recording the highest score in the academy's examinations.

She also picked up the Lisa Bayliss Award for her work, becoming the first student to collect both honours.

Ms Kennedy, from Stockton, who is also studying part-time at Sunderland University, said: "I had no idea that I'd won any awards, and was just glad that I had passed my exams.

"The academy contacted me asking to confirm my address so they could send me a letter, and I thought something really bad had happened. I was so nervous for about a week waiting for the post to arrive.

"When I opened the letter I was really relieved and absolutely thrilled, but I couldn't have done any of it without the help and support of everyone here in the audiology department."

Joanne Shotbolt, audiology service manager for the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are delighted that Lisa has been given these awards.

"She is absolutely brilliant with the patients, and it's great that all her hard work and dedication has been acknowledged nationally."