A RISHTON manager has cemented his place in the business world.

Mark Yates, deputy cement manager at Castle Cement's Ribblesdale works, has achieved a Master of Business Administration through Hull University.

Mark, who lives in Rishton with his wife Lesley and their three young children, enrolled for his studies in 1999 and has recently completed the degree.

Throughout the three years Mark spent one day a week at Blackburn College and up to 15 hours a week studying at home as well as doing his everyday job.

Mark, who had been out of touch with the academic world since he completed his engineering studies as an apprentice nine years ago, said: "I enjoyed it, but the final year was quite stressful in terms of balancing work, study and home life. Having three screaming children running round the house is not idea when you are trying to study, but I succeeded."