Journalist Carol Burns has multi-tasked her way to an Honours degree, despite working part-time and having a baby during the course!

Carol had already graduated in English Literature, and then went on to work for ten years as a newspaper journalist including several years at the Leicester Mercury, including a stint as health correspondent.

But after she excelled at an art evening class she took the plunge and began a three year degree in Fine Art at De Montfort University while still working as a freelance journalist, editing the Leicestershire Magazine and Pure Weddings magazine.

Carol, (34), from Leicester, said: "Going back to university wasn't planned, but after achieving high marks in a night class I wanted to see how far I could go.

"The course provided the opportunity to study fine art and try out a range of other mediums before settling into painting.

"The staff were enthusiastic, open minded and encouraged me to stretch myself - and were supportive in my continuing in my second year even though I had a baby halfway through it!"

Baby Luca, 20 months, and Carol's husband, Ewen, attended the ceremony this week when she graduated BA (Hons) Fine Art with a 2:1.