IT'S taken 153 lessons, seven tests and a lot of patience, but Marian Kennard has finally thrown away her learner plates and become a bona fide motorist.

What's made it more remarkable is that Mrs Kennard has also overcome a brain tumour to do it.

The grandmother of 11 had always enjoyed her caravanning holidays with her husband Ray at the wheel.

It was three years ago when he died suddenly on holiday that Mrs Kennard realised just how much she would have to rely on her family if she was to continue getting out and about.

So, determined to keep her independence, she decided to learn to drive herself.

"I thought that I would be dependant on my family for lifts and I wanted to be able to still do things for myself so I thought, 'Why not? I'll learn to drive'."

Then disaster struck when in April 2001 she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Although relieved to discover it was benign, Mrs Kennard still

had difficulty moving her left side.

She spent six months recuperating and was ordered off the road for a year.

Undeterred by the setback, Mrs Kennard was back on the road as soon as the 12 months were up, albeit in an automatic car.

She said: "I still wanted to do it but because of the problem with the movement in my left hand and leg I swapped to an automatic. I certainly wasn't going to give up."

Last week Mrs Kennard became the toast of the family when her perseverance paid off and she passed with flying colours at the age of 69.

She said: "I thought the examiner was going to tell me I'd failed again but instead he put out his hand to shake it and congratulate me. I was shocked but so happy."

Her son Christopher added: "We are all really proud of mum, she is a very determined lady and her perseverance is an example to everyone of what can be done when you put your mind to it. We are really proud of her."