A GIFTED law student has finally qualified as a barrister after passing an exam with flying colours twice - because her first set of results were lost.

Lauren Crook, of Cherston Road, Loughton, set her heart on the career as an eight-year-old pupil of Thomas Willingale Primary School.

After graduating with a first class degree in law from Brunel University, she worked for a year toward her barrister qualification and - after months of revision - landed a distinction in her exams.

But in July the 24-year-old was told by her training provider that one of her papers had been lost and given no option but to resit after the summer.

Dad Glen, 55, said: "She was absolutely gutted, she was in tears and didn't know what to do.

"It was unheard of and the thing was she wasn't allowed to sit exactly the same exams again."

Luckily the former Davenant Foundation School pupil proved her prowess by earning a second distinction - one of only five per cent of students nationwide to receive the top grade.

"As a judge said at her calling on Thursday, she is a 'double distinction barrister'," said Mr Crook.

"We are really extremely proud."

Miss Crook - a Tottenham Hotspur season ticket holder and member of Restore Community Church - is now on the lookout for a pupilage and hopes to specialise in family law.