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A Big Issue seller who spent years sleeping rough on the streets has won a place at Cambridge University.

Geoff Edwards, 52, who left Liverpool for Cambridge to find work, spent a large part of his adult life homeless after field labourer work in the area dried up, the Cambridge News reports .

Now Geoff has earned himself a place studying English Literature at one of the best universities in the country, despite leaving school with just two O-Levels.

After spending years being homeless, Geoff said his life began to turn around when he started to sell the Big Issue and got back some of his self respect through working.

He said: “Going to Cambridge University was a dream of mine, studying something I really love – I’m still getting used to the idea.

“This is what I have always wanted to do, but no-one in my family had been to university so I didn’t even consider it.

“I didn’t think of applying to Cambridge - I didn’t think Cambridge University would take someone like me, but my tutor encouraged me to apply. It is the first thing I am proud of in my life.

“Cambridge is a big step up but I am looking forward to pushing myself. I can’t believe what I’ve achieved.”

(Image: Nick Ansell/PA Wire)

Geoff explained how he ended up homeless, and how he turned it around, saying: “I came to Cambridge from Liverpool to do field work, but the work dried up.

“I was homeless for a long time after that and I was isolated and getting anxious.

“Eventually I started selling the Big Issue on the streets of Cambridge, which helped and gave me back a bit of self-respect.

“I knew I was in a rut and I decided to do something different with my life.”

After spending so long out of education, Geoff had to take an access course at Cambridge Regional College to help him get into university.

The course is designed for adults who want to return to education or need extra qualifications to go to university, and enabled Geoff to join Hughes Hall - the oldest Cambridge college for graduates and mature undergraduates.

Geoff’s incredible achievements have been recognised by CAVA, the Cambridge Access Validating Agency, which has awarded him an Outstanding Academic Achievement award, due to be presented at a special ceremony next month.