A STUDENT who once struggled to tell the time has overcome her difficulties to be shortlisted for a national achievement award.

Mabel Daniel was invited to the London headquarters of the entry level qualification authority Edexel, to be interviewed by a panel of judges for a national accolade for vocational achievement.

The 18-year-old student at Darlington College of Technology was the unanimous choice of tutors in the Pathways department, which caters for students who are not ready to tackle full-time vocational courses.

Her tutor, Ruth Beckett, said: "When she arrived here from a special school her reading and writing were poor and she could barely tell the time. She has done very well and all her basic skills have improved. She has matured and is very good at her work. She can work independently and she is very good at helping people who come in for interviews. She's a great ambassador for the Pathways course."

Mabel, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, said: "The judges asked me what I liked doing. I said I liked computers and catering. In the interview I felt very calm."

She will be competing against students from all over the country, many of who are academically stronger.

If Mabel is selected to go through to the next stage, she could win herself and the college £1,000 in prize money. If she wins the final contest, the figures rise to £5,000.