FORMER journalist Clive Barnden has turned a midlife crisis into an honours degree.

Clive, 51, has just gained his Fine Art degree after completing three years of study at the University of Central Lancashire. He specialised in time-based media, novelty books, audio art and interactive multi-media on computers.

He said: "A few years ago I decided to enjoy my mid-life crisis by gaining the degree I have always coveted.

"Thanks to a foundation course at Nelson and Colne College, I was able to get the basic grounding in art that I needed to gain entry to the degree course in Preston."

Clive, of St Anne's Street, Padiham, is married to Rosemary and they have two sons Christopher, 12, and Max, five.

Rosemary has also gained a degree from the University of Central Lancashire and is now completing her masters.

Clive used to be the editor of a Devon newspaper and when he moved north in 1988 he became a freelance editor.

He added: "Being a parent places demands on you which can conflict with study, but the three years were worth all the hassle."

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