A SHY and nervous teenager who spent her school days being bullied has gone on to win a top work skills award at a specialist further education college.

Ashleigh Burlinson, 19, from Stonehouse has been handed the prize by the National Star College, which teaches people with physical disabilities and associated learning difficulties.

She scooped the coveted honour for her outstanding contribution to National Star’s Young Enterprise group.

Ashleigh, who was managing director of the group, came up with their winning business idea – an adult colouring book.

The colouring books which feature art by National Star students are now successfully printed by students at the paper’s social enterprise company Star Print.

The team came second in the Dragon’s Den competition at the recent Young Enterprise Trade Show and won the team award category.

For Ashleigh it is proof of how much her confidence and skills have developed since joining the Skills for Work programme.

Bullied at mainstream school, Ashleigh said she was so shy that she wouldn’t even go to the shop on her own.

“When I started at National Star I didn’t speak. I wouldn’t even go to a shop by myself or if I went to the doctors I always left it to my mum and dad to talk,” she said.

“Now I am one who goes to the shops and talks for my sisters because they are the shy ones. I’ve changed a lot and my confidence has grown loads.

Caz Watts, head of learning programmes at the college, said: “Ashleigh made an outstanding contribution to the Young Enterprise project, coming up with the idea of designing and making adult colouring books to sell through the National Star shop.

“She carried out her role as Managing Director, presenting at the events and leading the team.

“Next year she will use her impressive skills in supporting others within our printing enterprise as Star Print Assistant.”