A mother-of-two has dedicated her honours degree to the memory of an uncle who inspired her to sign up with the Open University before he was struck down by cancer.

Diane Irwin, 44, of Bolton, Bradford, burnt the midnight oil to gain her degree after being encouraged to study by her uncle, Rodney Long.

Rodney, who lived in Queensbury, died from skin cancer aged 42 in 1990, soon after Diane won her place on an Open University (OU) social sciences course.

But money inherited from him by Jeffrey Long - his brother and Diane's father - was used to sponsor three of her seven years' of study.

Diane - who juggled her studies with bringing up two young sons and working as financial administrator at Fagley Primary School - said: "It was my uncle who inspired and encouraged me to do it.

"He'd been nagging me for years to do something with my life and reach my full potential and for the last couple had been encouraging me to do an OU course.

"When he heard I'd applied he said it was about time and now I've got the degree I think he'd say 'about time, now what are you going to do'.

"I was really chuffed when the results came through and I think he would be too - it's a bit late but I've done it now and I'm sure he'll know. I'm dedicating it to him as well as my mum and dad for all their support.''

Diane said she hoped to eventually use her upper second class BSc honours degree - which involved studying politics and economics - to lecture social sciences to sixth form or university students.

Diane, who receives her degree during a graduation ceremony in Harrogate on April 8, said: "It's taken a long time but that sort of flexibility is the whole beauty of the OU."

l Other OU successes include a BA for customer contact adviser David Wilkinson, 38, of Shipley, and BScs for Ann Ambrose, 35, of Settle; Kathy Musker, 43, of Skipton; Janet Cole, 40, of Cowling, and engineer Robert Power, 38, of Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Bachelor Degrees have been awarded to technical instructor Leni Busfield, 53, of Guiseley; Andrea Walker, a 41-year-old nurse from Askwith, Otley; secretary Alice Scanlon, 47, of Heaton; medical secretary Carol Jagger, 40, of Horton Bank and probationary police officer Steph Masters, 33, of Keighley.

Meanwhile a Post Graduate Certificate in Education has been obtained by teacher Ken Souyave, 49, of Burley-in-Wharfedale.

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