A MULTI-TALENTED student at Hereford's Royal National College for the Blind has reached the final of a prestigious national education award.

Vicky Haylott, 21, a student at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford, was one of six hopefuls short-listed for the Vocational Achievement Award at the Edexcel Achievement in Education Awards 2002.

Edexcel is one of the country's leading awarding bodies, offering academic and vocational qualifications at more than 6,000 schools, colleges and accredited training centres.

The Vocational Achievement Award is sponsored by educational publishers Heinemann.

Miss Haylott of mid Lothian in Scotland, is in the first year of studying for a BTEC National qualification in music technology, with performing arts, at the Royal National College for the Blind, Hereford.

She has received distinctions in every unit she has completed so far and when she has finished her own assignments she often helps other students to complete theirs. When not studying she has duties as the college's women's officer.

Back home Miss Haylott has performed in the Edinburgh Festival and was commissioned to compose and play the theme music for the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

She has also represented Scotland in swimming and running events organised by the British Blind Sports Association. She is also a member of Scottish Women's Aid, Midlothian against domestic violence forum and the Scottish Socialist Party.

She said: "I truly believe that I can succeed in anything which I try to achieve, if I have a positive enough attitude to both the people around me and my work.

"It is important to be assertive without becoming overpowering and to understand that every person has their own strengths and weaknesses and must be judged on their merits rather than their downfalls."

Elizabeth Johnson, manager of the 16 to 19-year-old learners' curriculum, said: "Vicky is totally blind, she has retinal aplasia, but she does not allow this to stand in her way.

"From the outset, Vicky has demonstrated her motivation and determination to achieve her long-term goal, which is to become a performer using her outstanding singing voice.

"Vicky has set herself high targets and has a single-minded and professional approach that will definitely stand her in good stead. She is an inspiration and constant source of support for her peers, she is patient and giving at all times."