An Ealing teenager has proved age really is just a number by completing a law degree at 18-years-old - and could soon become a teenage barrister.

Zahra Alidina was just 13-years-old when she left school because none of the courses on offer were helping her pursue her dreams in law.

She instead turned to home tutoring - gaining GCSEs and A Levels - before applying for a Bachelor Law Degree the Open University at just 15-years-old.

Her passion stemmed from years of attending the Old Bailey Court as a member of the public, including the trial of Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks following the News of the World phone hacking scandal.

Following a lengthly interview process, Zahra was given a place at the university, studying from home but still attending lectures before passing all her exams and graduating this year.

She was, by some distance, the youngest in a class ranging from students in their 20s to students in their mid-60s.

She said: "I have always really wanted to do law - I was at school and none of the programmes offered law and I wanted to do it off my own back.

"I can't imagine myself doing anything else. I would go to the Old Bailey as much as I could and I would get my tutors or my friends to take me.

"I just love the whole court process and I don't really want to be stuck in an office.

"The one I found the most interesting was the News of the World case with Rebekah Brookes - it was so interesting."

Qualified barrister at 19

The now 18-year-old has set her sights on beginning her bar exams at the University of Law in London - while completing a Masters in law part-time - which would see her become a qualified barrister at the age of just 19 in September 2017.

Her long term ambition is to one day become a judge, but on her journey there she says she takes a particular interest in cases involving family law.

She added: "I'm really interested in family law, I do want to help people.

"It would be amazing (to be a barrister at 19) and incredible. It scares me a little bit but it would also be amazing."

Proud mum Wendy Alidina, who moved to West Ealing in 1998, described her daughter as an "inspiration" for other teenagers looking to pursue their ambitions.

"I'm very proud. She is really persistent and more than anything she is an inspiration for people who really know what they want to do with their life.

"That's really special."