Lecturer is first Scot to win honour

A beloved Coatbridge college lecturer has become the first Scot to scoop a top accolade in the profession.

- IAN BUNTING

New College Lanarkshire's Neil McMullen was honoured with a Silver Award for Further Education Lecturer of the Year at this year's Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Chosen from thousands of nominees across the UK, Neil now has the chance of winning the prized Gold Award, which will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London and on BBC's The One Show later this year.

The first Scottish lecturer to win this award, Neil first arrived at the then Coatbridge College in 1985.

Just 18-years-old, he was part of the first hairdressing class taught at the college.

Forty years later, he has helped thousands of hairdressers and barbers learn their trade and to support their clients through their lives.