Margaret Johnston said she was honoured by the award

Margaret Johnston, 49, left school at 15 with no qualifications.

The mother and social care worker, of Bixter, has now completed a BA course in child and youth studies at Shetland College UHI.

She said of the UHI award: "I can't believe I've won the student award, but I feel very honoured."

The judges said they were impressed by her academic and personal achievements, and her contribution to the student community as secretary of the Shetland branch of the UHI students' association.

They felt she was a role model for nearly 6,000 students in the UHI network of colleges and research institutions across the Highlands and Islands.

Younger students accepted me as one of them, and they would come to me for advice. I took quite a number of them under my wing Margaret Johnston UHI student of the year

The award winner, who works with young people and children with special needs, said: "I've really enjoyed studying with UHI, and I've enjoyed student life.

"I worried at first that I had taken on too much, but I knew I could do it. My age has not proved a barrier in any way. In fact, I think it helped me because I had more experience and more confidence.

'Worthy winner'

"Younger students accepted me as one of them, and they would come to me for advice. I took quite a number of them under my wing."

UHI's principal, Professor Bob Cormack, said: "Margaret is a great credit to Shetland College and UHI, proving that we are achieving our aim of helping people like her to study and train without having to leave the area.

"I know the judges had a tough choice to make, but Margaret is undoubtedly a very worthy winner."

She will receive her UHI student of the year trophy, plus �150, at the UHI annual lecture at Dornoch Cathedral on 29 September.

The other candidates for the award were students of the year for their own colleges, UHI learning centres or research institutes.