A YORK woman who triumphed over a debilitating illness that made her life a misery as a teenager has scooped a top training award.

Louise Machin, 26, of Woodland Way, in Huntington, turned her life around after ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) forced her to leave school aged 15 without any qualifications.

She has now been awarded a "highly commended" accolade in the National Training Awards.

Louise, who works as an adult education teacher for both City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council, began adult education to gain GCSEs in English and maths to improve her confidence.

In 1996, she developed ME, which not only made her extremely tired but meant she suffered from muscle pain, nausea and lack of concentration.

Determined that the illness would not stop her progress, Louise attended short IT evening courses to gain more qualifications, and as she learned to live with the illness, gained a photography GCSE and A-Level.

With the help of her GP, she attended a course of treatment that taught her to manage the illness.

As she began to feel better, she raised her horizons and sought a career as an adult teacher, gaining various qualifications for the role.

Louise gained a teacher's certificate and a certificate in education, she learned web design, mentoring and e-guide training, and has been teaching for over three years.

She has taught more than 200 students on various IT and art courses and worked with adults with learning difficulties.

Louise has also helped other ME sufferers by voluntarily giving presentations on how she learned to cope with the illness.

Louise said: "I am over the moon with this award. It's really just fantastic."

The awards took place at Cutler's Hall, Sheffield, and award-winners received their awards from Olympic athlete Roger Black.

The laboratory medicine department of cytology at York Hospital also received a regional training award at the ceremony for its cervical screening work.

Trevor Hair, head biomedical scientist, said: "It's a reflection of all the hard work that all of the staff have put."

Louise is studying for a degree in education and training through the University of Huddersfield, and plans to marry her fianc, Lee Jakobsen, at the end of the year.

Updated: 10:18 Friday, October 15, 2004