A CAR crash survivor of St Albans has gained a psychology degree, against the odds.

In 2007 Charlotte Phillips, 25, broke her ankles, femurs, pelvis, wrist and collarbone in a car accident, in which her best friend died.

She decided to return to education as part of her recovery and recently graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a 2:1 in psychology.

The graduation ceremony was held recently at St Albans Abbey.

Charlotte went back to college and completed her A-levels before being offered a place at the university in 2009, where she faced a number of challenges.

She explained: “I was undergoing operations – at least one a year – throughout my degree. I tried to schedule my operations to take place over the summer to cause as little disruption to my studies as possible.

“Also, suffering from osteoarthritis meant I was always in pain and would struggle to get out of bed, let alone go to lectures, but I did it.”

Charlotte added: “I’m proud of how far I’ve come, especially considering what I have been facing along the way.”

She has since returned to the university to study for a Master’s degree in occupational psychology.