A NURSE-turned-artist is celebrating after she was awarded a First in her degree.

Joanne Guite, aged 46, of Clay Street, Egerton, gained a Textiles degree from the East Lancashire Institute of Higher Education at Blackburn College. After 20 years in nursing, she is now working as a freelance artist and hopes to start up her own art and design business. Her work is already attracting interest from the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, and Leigh’s Turnpike Gallery.

The mother of three said: “It has been a remarkable journey and a really exciting time for me. I can’t thank Blackburn College enough.”