A SINGLE mum from Darwen has been ranked among the top student scientists in the country after being selected for the finals of a prestigious competition.

Sarah Fogg, 32, of Chapter Road, is among 30 short-listed candidates for Science, Engineering and Technology Student of the Year 2003.

She also has a one in three chance of winning her specific category, Best Chemical Engineering Student. The Manchester Metropolitan University chemistry graduate is one of only two North West-based candidates, with the majority of finalists from Oxbridge.

Sarah, who achieved a first-class degree in August, has juggled working at Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings, Darwen, with studying part-time and bringing up her son.

She said: "I have been very busy and I am delighted and amazed to reach the finals. I just didn't expect it. When you look at past winners they have always been from Oxford and Cambridge so to be in that league is fantastic.

"We all go for an interview next Tuesday afternoon and they announce the winners later that day. To get involved you have to have a first-class degree and be entered by your university lecturer.

"After that I had to produce a 2000-word synopsis of my final year and from that and a citation from my lecturer, they short-listed three of us.

"It is even more significant for me because I was a mature student and was part-time whereas most of the others will have been full-time students. I am also a single parent, which has been hard work."

Sarah studied A-levels in Bolton before moving to Lower Darwen. She gave birth to her son, who is now 12 years old, and had an 11-year gap from studying.

Backed by many of the country's leading science and techology organisations and companies, the awards are recognised as Britain's most important honours within the industry. The winner will be announced at a dinner in London's Guildhall next Tuesday.

Category winners will receive £500 and a trophy and the Student of the Year an additional trophy and a further £500. If Sarah wins the big prize, Dr David Johnson, the lecturer who nominated her, will also receive a prize.