A FORMER pupil of Middlewich High School has won the Lord Neuberger award after finishing top of the year in Keele University.

Alex Bailey, 26, studies Law at the university and he was one of the 100 students up and down the country to be put forward for the award.

Only five students can win the award and Alex’s mum, Karen Bailey, spoke to the Guardian about how her son got the award.

Karen said: “It is the person who finishes top of the year at university who can get put forward for the award.

“Alex finished top at Keele studying Law and we do not know how he has done it.

“We were so shocked, even Alex did not think he would get the award. We are so proud of him.”

Alex was delighted with the award and believes that his hard work has been rewarded.

Alex said: “It was difficult in terms of workload but it was all worth it in the end.

“It was pretty unreal. I just got an email telling me I had won which I thought was quite casual.

“It’s nice as a mature student with no legal connections to be able to stand my own ground against such strong competition.

Alex admitted that he was not the most academic at school and that his decision to go into law came to him when he was living in Australia.

“My favourite subjects in school were PE and maths. After school I did carpentry and joinery for a few years.

“I went to Australia for a few years, it was there I decided to get into law.

“It’s been a strange journey but a fascinating one.

“Everyone has been very welcoming to me and a few judges have even taken me under their wing.

“I wasn’t very academic in school but it shows that hard work does pay off.”