On a personal level, the performance arts degree is a triumph for the 27-year-old from Greetland. For it comes after her first choice of stage career – as a dancer in London – was thwarted by injury. Instead of abandoning her dream she picked herself up, dusted herself down, came north and started all over again.

And the new BA top-up degree in performance arts at Calderdale College proved just what she was looking for. The drama-led course was a challenge, given her dance background, but according to lecturers she was a model student. Now she is hoping for the vital first step into television work.

But Suzy's success is also a sign of the times that bodes well for the whole of Halifax and Calderdale. Our first "home grown" first class honours degree is set to be followed, we hope, by many more. There are plans for a real boom in higher education involving ever closer co-operation between Calderdale College and Leeds Metropolitan University, which accredited Suzy's degree. One day we may even have our own university.

All of which will a massive lift to our local economy, image and self-esteem.

Break a leg, Calderdale.