Doctor degrees kept in the family

Gemma and Sharon Probert worked with 'a pile of books' between them

A mother and her daughter have graduated as doctors after studying together at Newcastle University.

Sharon Probert, 46, and Gemma, 23, from Yarm on Teesside, spent much of their Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree courses attending the same lectures.

The pair said it helped that they were able to revise together and the rest of the family pitched in to support them.

Sharon now wants to concentrate on paediatrics while Gemma is hoping to specialise in cardiology.

Sharon Probert had always wanted to be a doctor, but the opportunity did not arise until she was 38.

I worked harder because when I came home my Mum was studying which made me study too Gemma Probert

She said: "As a mature student you really have to want to do it.

"I was giving up a well paid job, I had to juggle the family and there's still the mortgage to pay. You have to be completely single-minded about it."

She added: "All the family have pitched in to help which has been wonderful.

"My 12-year-old daughter Helen brought us cups of tea while we were revising together and I couldn't have done it without the support of my whole family, especially this year with all the exams."

Gemma Probert said: "The dining room became a surrogate study for the two of us, with Mum at one end and me at the other with a pile of books between us.

"Having my Mum in the class didn't really make a difference as we had our own friends, but actually over time they melded together.

"I still lived the student experience, the only difference being I worked harder because when I came home my Mum was studying which made me study too."