Thirty-year-old advertising executive Victoria Wilsdon, of Georgian Gardens, suffered massive head injuries when her car skidded on black ice, and crashed into five parked cars at Guildford.

She was placed in a chemically induced coma at the scene. Her family was told she might never recover.

That was four years ago, but now Victoria has been highly commended in two categories of the south east regional Learndirect achievement awards.

She said: "After the accident I had three goals – to drive again, to get back my independence by finding my own place to live and to get a job. I have done all that, and am really proud.

"I am a motivated person, but I couldn't have done it without the help from Learndirect and North-brook College — they have been fantastic."

The accident has left Victoria with mobility, short-term memory and speech problems, the result of a brain injury, but despite this, she has competed IT courses and landed a part-time job with Brighton charity, Impact Initiative.

"My head was thrown left, right, up and down, my brain was shaken around in my skull and left like a mangled piece of newspaper.

"I was told I would not survive, but I have. To anyone in the same situation, I would say set yourself small goals to work to, and never give up, because anything is possible."

Marion Harrison, of Learndirect, nominated Victoria, and said her strong determination to succeed was an inspiration to many people in a similar situation.

On the commendations for Outstanding Learner Award and Skills for Work categories, Victoria said she felt honoured just to be nominated.

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