A JEWELLER who thought she had failed her exam has gained top marks in the region.

To mark the achievement, Sarah Mawdsley, 24, from Barnard Castle, was presented with a trophy by The York branch of the Guild of Jewellers - which has not been awarded in 25 years.

Miss Mawdsley, who works at Hoppers Jewellers, in Barnard Castle, got the highest grades in her retail jewellers diploma in the North-East and Yorkshire.

Miss Mawdsley said: "I'm really pleased.

"I couldn't believe it when I found out in the post, I actually thought I'd failed the exam."