THERE was triple joy for a Leyland graduate who scooped three awards for excellence at her graduation ceremony.

Lindsay Beardsworth, 22, of Sandy Lane, received her chiropractice degree two weeks ago from Glamorgan University.

And she could not believe it when her name was announced for three awards for academic excellence, clinical excellence and graduate of the year.

Lindsay, who attended St Mary's High School, Royal Avenue, Leyland, said: "I've worked very hard for four years so I'm glad I got the academic excellence award but the clinical one was a big achievement because it's all about your knowledge and skills."

Her parents, Margaret and Anthony, and boyfriend, Adrian, were there to celebrate her success.

But it was personal experience that led her down this career path.

She said: "I hurt my back when I was 15 and I had to do all my GCSE exams standing up because my upper body was in plaster.

"I'd been taking painkillers for months but in my first session with a chiropractitioner I felt the pain drain away.

Lindsay continued: "I always wanted to work for the health profession but I wanted to help other people like me to show them there was an alternative to pain killers.

She started her first job at a practice in Cheshire on Monday, and has high hopes. Lindsay, said: "I'd love to open my own practice in a couple of years and then maybe even open a couple.

"But I want to stay at this new job for a couple of years because I know there's a lot to learn and I'm really looking forward to it."