A FORMER pupil of the Weald of Kent Grammar School for Girls in Tonbridge has won a top marketing accolade.

Denise Blackburn, 24, took the Worshipful Company of Marketors Award for the best marketing dissertation on the Masters in International Marketing Degree course at South Bank University, London.

Denise, from Edenbridge, is the first person to achieve a distinction for this course. She was also named Student of the Year.

Following a graduation ceremony at St George's Cathedral, London, Denise said: "I am absolutely delighted to have my achievements recognised by the Worshipful Company of Marketors. It was a fantastic feeling going onto the stage to be presented with these awards."

Established in 1978, the Worshipful Company presents up to 40 awards each year for the best performance by students in examinations run by a range of professional bodies and academic institutions.

While studying for her Masters, Denise worked part-time as marketing administrator at Edenbridge-based management consulting firm Human Resource Solutions (HRS).

HRS was recently shortlisted for the Best of Business Awards 2002 in the category for best commitment to learning for its' staff.

Denise said: "Working for HRS gave me a great opportunity to put into practice what I had learnt on my course. The support and encouragement that I have received from my colleagues has been tremendous."