A former Heathrow security guard from Feltham is preparing for a high-flying career – this time setting environmental policy at the airport.

Spencer Thomas, 37, was told at school that he was not cut out for higher education – he got a retail job before moving to work in security at Heathrow.

But he had ambitions to study and strive for a management job and secured a place on an Open University course.

Now, after six years of hard work, he is flying up the career ladder, implementing environmental standards and setting policy at the airport.

He said the flexibility of the course allowed him to study in his own time or during breaks at work, which was even more important when he became a dad halfway through the course.

He said: “I liked the range of courses and the experience was great. I met a wide range of people and some of my tutors were very influential people in their field, so it was an honour to be able to debate with them.”

As his studies progressed, Mr Thomas secured a place on a management development programme working on T5 at Heathrow before it opened.

He applied for a promotion and secured his current job as an airside environment manager, successfully making a rare jump from frontline services to middle management.

He now has a range of responsibilities, including persuading the airport community to be more environmentally-friendly. He has also started his own business with another student he met on the degree course.

Mr Thomas paid for the Open University himself, taking six years to complete his environmental studies course and becoming the first person in his family to get a degree. He will be rewarded for his hard work at a graduation ceremony at the Barbican on May 2.

He said: “My family are very excited and proud, and admire me for sticking with studies over such a long time and through some trying times. It proves that education is for all and should be encouraged.”