A TEESSIDE teenager who quit her university studies could soon run her own pub.

Sharon Cook, from Thornaby, is only 19 but is already helping to manage the Yorkshire Dragoon pub at Maltby, near Ingleby Barwick.

The former Thornaby Community School pupil dropped out of a psychology degree course at university to work behind the bar of the village pub.

Her employer encouraged her, through the Protocol Skills organisation, to sign up on a two-year apprenticeship in management, funded by the learning skills centre LSC Tees Valley.

The teenager, who has already been made assistant manager of the pub, said: "Fairly early on in my course, I decided that university was not where I wanted to be. By embarking on an apprenticeship, I am now learning so much about management and am able to apply the skills I am gaining to the work I do every day."

Pam Eccles, Executive Director of LSC Tees Valley, said: "The mix of work-based learning and NVQ training provides employers with skilled and motivated young people who are continually gaining on-the-job experience and knowledge of their industry."