A group of lucky ladies have been awarded free plumbing scholarships through a Dagenham training centre.

Choice Training, on Wantz Road, offered the City & Guilds diplomas, normally costing upwards of £3,200, in a bid to get more women working in the industry.

Single mum-of-two Sally King, 35, has just finished a level two apprenticeship at Bexley College and is now a step closer to her dream of becoming a gas fitter.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” she said. “Without this scholarship I simply wouldn’t have been able to continue my training so I’m ever so grateful.

“I want to become a gas fitter because to give confidence to single mums and elderly ladies, who can sometimes feel threatened by having workmen in their homes, so a scheme like this is fantastic.”

Kayleigh Walby, 26, Georgia-Rose Cuthbert, 19, and Maria Markham, 37, were the other winners, hand-picked from 25 entrants.

The scholarships will be run two days a week for 12 months and will hopefully culminate in a job at the end.

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