AN elephant loving Halesowen College student has won Volunteer of the Year after never forgetting about her duties at an animal park.

Megan Lawlor impressed everyone at Howletts Wild Animal Park after packing up her trunk and moving to Kent to care for her beloved elephants.

The 19-year-old completed her BTEC Level Three in Animal Care in 2013 and then worked at West Midlands Safari Park before getting her dream intern job working with the largest African elephant herd in Europe.

The teenager was presented with the award during the Aspinall Foundation Annual Awards for staff which celebrates the work of staff at Aspinall’s two parks - Howletts and Port Lympne.

Megan works with seven other staff members to maintain the thirteen animal herd who each know their own name and have special dietary requirements.

She said: “They all have real personalities and after three months they are friends and I chat with them every day.

“I have worked hard to achieve my dream and I would like to thank everyone at Halesowen College who has helped me on my way.”

Halesowen College is now recognised as one of the best colleges in the region to study animal care. Four years ago the college unveiled a £5 million teaching block which includes an outside courtyard for animal care and a rooftop science garden.

Alison Gwilliams, from Halesowen College, is delighted her student made such an impact at Howletts Wild Animal Park.

She said: “A massive congratulations to Megan and we are all so pleased she is starting a career she clearly loves and is doing extremely well.”