A Kirkby woman, who decided to enrol on a one-year college plastering course after buying a house, has received a national award.

Caroline Moor, 39, studied the Intermediate Certificate in Plastering at West Nottinghamshire College after realising her new home needed plastering throughout.

She was named runner-up student of the year in the plastering category The Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) awards, in partnership with The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers.

The awards are held annually to promote and encourage high levels of craftmanship in the finishes and interiors sector.

Caroline’s trophy will accompany her Principal’s Award, which she scooped at the college’s celebration of achievement last summer.

She was presented with the accolade by the Lord Mayor of The City of London, Michael Mainelli.Plastering teacher Jamie Higgins accompanied her to the event in the capital.

“I thought I would have a go at the plaster renovations myself,” Caroline said.

“I’ve always been quite artistic and got a grade A in art at school, so I looked forward to enrolling on the plastering course.”

She studied for three days each week at college alongside working 12-hour shifts on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Now qualified, she is getting stuck into the home renovations and has already completed areas of the bathroom and kitchen, which she is impressed with.

She added: “I recently lost my horse, Freddie, which has set me back emotionally and I’ve not wanted to do much, but I am determined to pick up where I left off now.

“I’m working nights in retail and I’m starting to pick up some plastering work gradually.”

Jamie said: “Caroline’s strengths are her hard work, dedication, and attention to detail. She is also very competitive and will be quietly disappointed that she didn’t claim top prize!”

“She has produced some lasting pieces around college, most noticeably her rendered Union Jack at Station Park which won the Principal’s Award. She is currently looking for a professional plasterer to shadow and further develop her working practice with and she’d be an asset to any employer.”