WHATEVER barriers exist to improving your education as an adult, few people will tackle as many as one Kendal woman.

Christina Gregg, 23, of Underley Avenue, has faced bullying at school, severe epilepsy, dyslexia, and spells at three different prisons for alcohol-related violence before overcoming them and gaining several qualifications.

Since she came into contact with Cumbria Personal Development Associates, she has completed yoga, life skills, and first aid courses. She is now studying for her Duke of Edinburgh gold award and begins a social care course in September this year.

She has been so successful in overcoming her barriers that she was nominated by CPDA for the Cumbria Adult Learners Award and won the South East Area prize.

Jules Funnell, Mrs Gregg's link worker, wrote in the recommendation: "Christina has demonstrated great tenacity in her learning and shown a continued willingness to progress."

She added she admired her courage and determination and said: "We're dead pleased she's won this!"

Mrs Gregg had a message for people who thought they might not be able to help themselves: "Everybody can change. Everyone can do it, if they want to do it enough, and give their kids a life."

The mother-of-two was fitted with an electronic tag as a teenager in an effort to control her behaviour as it spiralled out of control.

Excluded from school at only 13, she soon developed drink problems and was put in prison for beating people up when drunk.

Mrs Gregg, now a teetotaller, said going back to school as a mature student had given her more stability and confidence, which she could now pass on to her children.

She added: "I don't want my kids to go through life the way I have. I'm glad everything's happened but I wish it had happened differently."