ANDREW Walsh left school with no qualifications but now, at the age of 38, he has won a gold award as best student.

He was selected from 250 apprentice plumbers at Oxford and Cherwell College as showing most commitment to study and producing the best work.

His employer, Dave Messenger of family business Darnells, said: “He came to us as a van driver and when he said he wanted to do plumbing, he had to go back to college for three years. I think he should be proud. We certainly are.”

Mr Walsh said he had not been interested in qualifications when he left school and had drifted in a series of short-term jobs which offered no training, with several spells of unemployment.

“I was too busy going out partying. It's only when you get older that you realise that you should have done exams.”

He moved to Oxford from Scotland in 2007 and found a job driving Darnells' van, taking parts and tools to the plumbers working on-site for the company's customers, who include many Oxford colleges.

He said: “I'm really grateful for what has happened, and I'm grateful to Darnells. I don't think anyone else would have taken me on at 35.”

Having taken college courses in maths and English as well as practical plumbing, he is now studying for level 3, equivalent to A levels.