Dedicated mature students have been rewarded for commitment to their studies as part of the UK's biggest celebration of learning.

Five learners - four at Bradford College and one at the city's university - are celebrating after landing awards as part of nationwide Adult Learners' Week.

Among them is Bradford College student Mel Daniels, 31, who won a National Individual Learner Award in recognition of her determination to overcome significant hurdles.

As well as cerebral palsy, wheelchair-user Mel also lives with epilepsy and a hearing impairment.

Despite this, she gained a Certificate for Mature Students in Humanities and Social Sciences and is now in the first year of an Applied Criminal Justice degree at Bradford University.

After leaving school at 15 the death of her foster mother when she was 29 encouraged her to return to studying. Mel, of Holme Wood, Bradford, said: "I wanted to gain qualifications I did not gain in my school years.

"My foster mother was a committed social worker and encouraged me to gain the qualification I needed to follow her into the profession.

"I had to overcome my own fears of education but I also felt I had more to prove than able-bodied students.

"Learning as a mature student has provided me with the confidence to take on new challenges and believe in my own ability. Bradford College, the students and the tutors were fantastic."

Mel attended the awards' national ceremony in London. She also travelled to the Yorkshire and Humber regional ceremony in Barnsley with other regional Bradford College winners: Jaymain Iqbal, Tracy Learoyd, Paul Smith and Colin Cannell who won the Bradford University Award, a Regional Individual Award, Bradford College Regional Award and Open College Network Award respectively.

Jaymain, 32, completed the same course as Mel - with a slight difference. Three days after her final exam she gave birth to her fifth child.

She is now studying for a degree in Conflict Resolution at Bradford University.

After being expelled from school at 13 Jaymain, of Greengates, never re-started her education.

"This means so much to me," she said. "At first I thought it just couldn't be right that I would get an award but learning has helped me move on and deal with a past where I was very depressed."

Tracy Learoyd, 36, also gained a Certificate for Mature Students in Humanities and Social Sciences at Bradford College.

She overcame painful problems caused by Hypermobility Syndrome.

"The college and, in particular, tutor Mary Johnson were fantastic," she said. "I would recommend going back to study to anyone it has changed my life."

Tracy is also studying Applied Criminal Justice at Bradford University.