A STUDENT whose luggage containing her academic work was lost on a transatlantic flight has been told by her university that it will not ruin her career.

The Press reported recently how Katie Jones' suitcases did not arrive in Gatwick when she returned from a four-month study trip to America in December.

Katie, of Pocklington, East Yorkshire, lost about half the documents she originally had before she left to return home. The papers have still not turned up and may never do so.

Katie today spoke of her relief that the studying she had done in New Orleans would be taken into account in her grading. Keele University said papers Katie, 19, had submitted in the US would be considered, as well as those handed in before she went overseas.

Philip Williams, head of marketing at Keele University, said: "We were very sorry to hear that Katie's luggage had been stolen and have been doing all we can to help. The procedure will be to take her grades in the States into account, as well as the work she has done here - in a continuous process. Like all universities, we have procedures in place to deal with mitigating circumstances."

Katie said: "The university has been really good about it - really helpful. I feel relieved - I'm just glad the hard bit's over now I've handed in my portfolio. It would have been useful to have the work for this and next year - I don't have as much information as I would have had."

Katie's father, Sean Jones, 49, said: "Keele University has been fine about it - they told us they understood our position and asked Katie to get together as much work as she could. They're in a difficult position - this is not down to them."

Katie is set to receive £800 compensation for the lost baggage and a flight voucher.

The news came after The Press reported last week Katie's anger at her luggage having been lost.

Katie told The Press last week: "I think it will have an impact on my studies, as the work I had done in America would be really useful to have here. I was planning on using the information in my dissertation."