Two years ago mature student Barbie Dunn's depression was so severe that she struggled to be able to remember her own name or write down what her tutors were telling her.

But the determined 51-year-old has been able to use her studies at Bradford University to overcome her symptoms and recover her confidence.

And now she has been named as the region's top adult learner for her brave battle to overcome her mental health problems.

Barbie, who lives in Riddlesden, was diagnosed with clinical depression more than two years ago, following a traumatic experience, which affected her ability to be able to lead her normal life.

She said: "I was in very gainful employment but I just dropped out of society.

"Things got so bad I could barely remember my own name or how to read or write, let alone be able to get out of the house to go to work, I was totally cocooned.

"It was as if everything I had ever known or understood had been torn into a thousand pieces and thrown into the air and I was trying to pick it all up again piece by piece.

"When I first started my course two years ago my confidence and self-esteem were at zero and I had difficulty concentrating and remembering anything."

However she received support from the University's disability office which provided her with a note taker who sat in classes writing down what the tutors said.

Barbie would only go into the University to study in the evening because she was not comfortable being around people.

But gradually her confidence began to grow and she is now in her second year studying for a diploma in personal and professional development.

She now wants to use her qualifications to be able to counsel other people who suffer with clinical depression.

Her course tutor Jayne Godward said: "I first met Barbie when she came to a counselling module having done a community counselling skills course.

"At this stage, she found it very hard to concentrate and remember, and needed support from the University's disability office to help her overcome this.

"Gradually through this help and her sheer determination she started to gain self esteem as her health improved and was able to contribute more to lessons and discussions.

"Since then Barbie has improved in health considerably and is now able to think clearly - achieving good marks in her assignments.

"It is wonderful that she is considering going on to degree level study and looking to train as a counsellor.

"She is a shining example of what can be achieved as an adult learner.

"Barbie has overcome health problems and has worked very hard to study.

"She thoroughly deserves this award."

Barbie was presented with the award at a ceremony in Doncaster to mark Adult Learners Week which ended yesterday.

She said: "I would recommend going back to university for people in the same situation as me in a heartbeat.

"Before I went back into education I felt that I didn't have a voice. I felt unable to express what I needed to say but going to university stopped me ruminating on my problems and gave me something to focus on and I was able to express myself again."