DRIVING a dumper truck surrounded by mud and burly builders may not be every woman's idea of day's work, but for Weacombe resident Lucy Balhawan that will soon be a reality.

Lucy, 44, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, is hoping her story will be an inspiration both to other women and for disabled people who have struggled to find work.

She first got behind the wheel of a dumper when she offered to help her construction worker husband.

And she quickly realised her vocation was calling after discovering her disability - she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997 - had no impact on her ability to operate the monster machine.

"I have lost the feeling in my arm and I thought it might be too much for me, but sometimes I was doing eight or ten-hour days helping my husband and I really enjoyed it," Lucy said.

And last Friday she officially qualified to drive dumpers for a living after successfully completing a specialist course at Bridgwater College's Cannington campus.

"I was so surprised when I looked into it that employers were really keen to find women drivers to operate their dumpers.

"I really didn't think the construction industry would be the place that would offer me the opportunity to change my life.

"For years I had door after door slammed in my face when I applied for jobs because of my disability and I wish I had known about this years ago," Lucy said.

She said her course tutor had been hugely supportive and she hoped other people with disabilities - and women - could be persuaded to give the construction industry a go.

She was also grateful for support from Minehead's Lynch Builders.

"I have been amazed and overwhelmed - it's given me my independence back," she said.

Lucy is planning to use her future work as a dumper driver to pay for her ongoing psychology degree studies.

She decided to retrain through the Open University after her illness forced her to give up her previous jobs as a riding instructor and as an artificial cattle inseminator.

"I knew that if I wanted to do a masters degree I would have to earn money to pay for it and this was the answer.

"I want other women and people with disabilities to know they can do these things and I would urge them to contact the college and have a go.

"The course was so much fun that it got to a point that I didn't really mind if I passed or failed, but I took my ticket last Friday and I can't get over it!" Lucy said.

She is pictured with "Doris" the dumper at Bridgwater College's Cannington campus.

Photo: Steve Guscott