A NAVY engineer from Gosport has reached the finals of the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards.

Chief petty officer weapon engineering artificer Karen Phillips, 29, from HMS Collingwood in Fareham, is one of four finalists in the competition.

Karen said she had always wanted to join the Royal Navy as an engineering apprentice. With a BTEC and HNC in electrical and mechanical engineering, Karen must ensure sea-going vessels in her charge are safe, operational and able to meet Navy demands. She will be presented with her award in London on January 17.