A former crane driver at the Ebbw Vale Corus plant has designs on a new career in art and lecturing, after studying for an MA degree at the University of Wales, Newport.

Mark Williams, who lives in Cwm, recently completed his final project in the MA Multimedia and Information Design programme, and is already working as a part-time art lecturer at the Coleg Gwent Ebbw Vale campus.

"I've always been keen on art," explained 42-year-old Mark, "and studied it at A-Level when I was working at Corus. I then went on to study part-time at Newport's university for a BA Graphics degree."

He was just completing the degree as the Corus works in Ebbw Vale were closed down, bringing to an end his 24-year career as a crane driver at the steelworks.

"When I was made redundant I decided to continue my studies and do the Masters degree in multimedia. When I started college I knew very little about computers but became intrigued by their potential. I like the way you could experiment with images using computer technology. I wanted to take these images from a computer and put them into the real world."

For his final project on the course he created an interactive video of a candle which viewers can actually 'blow out'.

"Young children love it," he said. "They associate blowing out candles with birthdays and Christmas. Grown-ups tend to be a bit more wary, some don't go too close to the screen in case they get burned, which of course is impossible."

Mark's tutors have advised him that the piece deserves a wider showing and he is now thinking of places where it could be exhibited, and where the symbolism of a candle might work best.

"This university is wonderful - it's been nothing but good news for me. It's got a fantastic library and academic staff who are wonderfully supportive."

Mark has already embarked on a new career as a part-time lecturer in art and graphics and his ambition now is to become a university lecturer.

"I really love teaching and can't believe I'm getting paid for doing something I enjoy so much," he added.