A MUM juggled family life with student life to get a degree in performing arts - and her husband gave her a car as a reward.

Dianne Lamb went back to study and qualified at the age of 34 to follow a lifelong desire to be an entertainer.

"I always wanted to work on the stage," said Dianne, from Milden Hall, in Sankey, "but I met my husband when I was 15, got married at 17 and had my first baby at 18 so I never really had the chance."

Dianne studied at St Helens College for two years to get an accredited degree from John Moores University, and has won a place at Liverpool Academy of Performing Arts, where she will complete a third year and honours added to her degree.

Dianne has a son Christopher, aged 16, and a daughter Samantha, aged 11.

"All the students were going out socialising and I had to be home cooking the tea," said Dianne. She added: "I couldn't have done it without my husband Chris."