ONE of the Bolton Evening News' youngest staff members has hit the headlines -- after being nominated for an achievement award.

Nafisa Patel, aged 20, came to the paper on a work placement from Bolton-based Rathbone training in March 2000.

She has worked in three different departments and now has risen up to ranks to gain a full-time post as an assistant to the managing director.

Her training tutors at Rathbone, where Nafisa studied NVQs, say she is such a success that have put her for forward for their achiever of the month award.

If she wins she will be entered for a regional and national achievers' contest.

Nafisa, a former pupil of Sharples School who lives in Astley Bridge, said: "I've enjoyed every minute of my work at the BEN. I was totally surprised when I heard I'd been entered for achiever of the month."

Marie Philpott, Rathbone's business admin training advisor, said: "Nafisa was quite shy when she came to us at first, but she's achieved so much. She's done fantastically well."