A SECRETARY has made her mark at Bolton College by joining a select band of staff who have gone "above and beyond the call of duty".

Westhoughton woman Mavis Parker, who has worked as a secretary at the Manchester Road college for 10 years, has been presented with their top staff award -- the annual Staff Commendation, for providing excellent secretarial support to the college's management team as they prepared for their inspection last year.

Her name has now been added to those of the eight previous winners on the college's Commendation Award Shield, which hangs in the college board room. Staff are nominated for the award by colleagues and then judged by a special committee made up from staff across the college.

Out of 60 nominations, four received a certificate and cash prize and Mavis was honoured on the Commendation Shield.

The other three award winners were Ian Burgess for his long hours and hard work in the college print room, construction lecturer Vaughan Guffogg for his work in preparing students for national competitions and Community Care lecturer Sandra Taylor for her development of the college's access provision.

Bolton College principal Alison Bowes was full of praise for her staff's achievements.

She said: "These awards present an excellent opportunity to celebrate the work of the staff of the college.

"All the nominees are winners as far as I am concerned but particular praise must go to Ian, Vaughan, Sandra and of course Mavis."