WARTIME bus conductress Mary Wyche Smith left school at 14 without qualifications.

Now, at 74, she has a BA Hons degree in English Literature and history.

Mary, of Wardour Street, Atherton, left Lee Street School during the second world war.

An essential works order was in force and at 18 she spent 18 months on the buses before becoming a first aider at Caleb Wright's Tyldesley mill.

She remained there until early retirement from her personnel officer post at the age of 55.

Retirement boredom set in and widow Mary joined Atherton Citizen's Advice Bureau as a volunteer for a couple of years.

Then she decided to start her education anew - and at 65 sat an A-level in Literature at Wigan and Leigh College. She studied for part of her five-year part-time degree course at Leigh before moving to Bolton Institute.

Mary said: "It is never too late. I just wanted to learn and thoroughly enjoyed doing it.

"I was not there for the degree, it was there for me. I used it as a hobby, and both Leigh and Bolton are very good colleges.

"I love books, especially Ellis Peters' Cadfael whodunits. In fact now I wouldn't mind having a stab at writing one myself.

"I have an idea for a plot, but I think I'll take a rest for the time being."

Mary graduates on September 16.

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