A COMPANY director from Burnley has scooped a prestigious prize for outstanding performance while studying.

Mum-of-one Chantelle I'Anson-Sparks, 34, has graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a 2.1 law degree. And she was the toast of her class after winning the Preston university's Barbara Harris Prize for outstanding performance in interviewing and negotiating skills.

Chantelle, of Halifax Road, Briercliffe, Burnley, is a former Westholme pupil in Blackburn who went to Nelson and Colne College after O-levels but dropped out of education in search of 'a wage' when she was still a teenager. But she decided to get back into education and chose the part-time option.

Chantelle is a director at CMI Trimmings Ltd in Wood Street, Burnley.