FORENSIC archaeology graduate Rebecca Major has scooped a top award from Bournemouth University.

The 23-year-old from Pleydell Road, Old Town, Swindon, was voted the best graduate of 2001.

Rebecca, who was awarded the prestigious vice chancellor's prize, beat off competition from 2,500 other students.

She is now training to become a barrister specialising in human rights law.

Rebecca said she was "very pleased but very surprised" to have been singled out by the university's vice chancellor Gillian Slater.

Prof Slater said: "Rebecca's gritty determination to succeed is inspiring and that she succeeds on all levels affirms her personal and intellectual qualities."

The degree programme that Rebecca followed is offered through the university's School of Conservation Sciences.

It is the only course of its kind in the world and is taught by experienced archaeologists and anthropologists.

The course aims to provide students with the skills of a scientist and those of a scene of crime investigator.

Staff and students from the programme have in the past worked with the United Nations in the former Yugoslavia to gather evidence of war crimes for international tribunals.

For more information about the course call Bournemouth University on 01202 524111.