I WAS shocked and disgusted to read of the treatment of Louise Brand-Parkinson by Blackburn College (LET, May 26).

I was one of Louise's students at the Harrison Centre for two years.

She has worked exceptionally hard to get the students through their courses.

I was on the Access course they had on offer to get me into university to study for the BSc (Hons) Pre Reg Adult Nursing course.

I am a single parent with two children and Louise's dedication to me and her understanding of my situation was outstanding.

With the Access course I had to complete various programmes ranging from OCAs and OCBs and GCSEs.

There were various lecturers within these courses but Louise's treatment to the students shone through.

Louise always put the students first and always helped us not only in our studies but in our personal lives as well.

She was always on hand to help and guide us and through her dedication and sheer hard work she's got more or less every student through.

If it hadn't been for her I would not be at university today.

Blackburn College has just sacked one of the most valued and dedicated members of staff and it is unfair to Blackburn College's new students to lose out on such a hard-working person.

I hope that they will reconsider her position regarding her employment as appearing on a "game show" was a poor excuse in my eyes to dismiss someone, and did they ever ask her what she would do if she had won the money?

Anyone who has the opportunity of going on a game show would do exactly what she did and it is totally unfair.

N WADDICOR, student (via email).