A WISBECH student who left school unable to read or write is celebrating after winning a coveted medal for furniture design. Timothy Smith, of Westmead Avenue, has been awarded a City & Guilds Medal for Excellence for outstanding performance in the proces

A WISBECH student who left school unable to read or write is celebrating after winning a coveted medal for furniture design.

Timothy Smith, of Westmead Avenue, has been awarded a City & Guilds Medal for Excellence for outstanding performance in the processing and manufacturing sector.

Timothy, a student at the Isle campus of the College of West Anglia, is one of only 87 people nationwide to scoop the 2006 award and pipped over 750,000 to land the award.

"Its really great," he said. "After leaving school with no qualifications and not being able to read and write properly, I feel I have really achieved something."

His tutor John Buckle said: "Timothy has deservedly won this mark of special distinction.

"He is a real inspiration to others and demonstrates that getting the right skills can be the passport to fulfilling your true potential and more importantly, your dreams."

According to the City & Guilds judging panel: "Timothy has shown determination and originality in his coursework and has achieved very high standards. He is a deserving recipient of the Medal for Excellence and we are delighted to have chosen him for this award."

Timothy added: "I chose the course because I was on long term sick benefit and wanted to improve my woodworking skills. It did this and more, as I learnt how to use a computer and improved my reading and writing.

"Since achieving the City and Guilds Furniture making qualification in August I now have a job working in a small joiner's shop. As for the future I would like to design and make furniture and one day own my own workshop. Winning a medal of excellence can only help my career prospects."

Timothy will also be invited to attend the Lion Award Ceremony, along with all Medals for Excellence winners, in London during April.