AN AUXILIARY nurse is about to embark on a career that will allow her to fulfil her childhood dream.

The 36-year-old Darlington mother of twins has secured a place at university to train to become a fully qualified nurse.

Sonia Holborn, who works in the Branksome area of town, said she has wanted to be a nurse since childhood.

"When I was little, I used to bring home stray cats and look after them. It is just in my nature," she said.

For the past 13 years Sonia has been an auxiliary nurse and is a key member of Darlington Primary Care Trust's 80-member team.

"I've loved being an auxiliary, but being a district nurse will give me even more scope and I want to specialise in cancer and palliative care," she said.

She has already studied biology at Darlington College of Technology, and taken an extra course in anatomy and an NVQ Level 3 in care at Teesside University.

In September, she will return to university to train as a staff nurse for three years.