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Cathy was inspired to join the BBC after looking after a radio production crew that came to her school in York.

Reporting is Cathy's dream job

"They cracked fantastic jokes during lunch," she says.

"I thought they were obviously having fun and decided to follow in their footsteps. It turned out that the funniest crew member went on to write the Vicar of Dibley. No wonder he made me laugh."

The same crew member advised Cathy to get a good degree and then apply to any training schemes the BBC had.

She followed his advice and was selected for the Trainee Reporter Scheme in 1989.

"At that time, journalists were still using type writers and reel to reel tape. We had to edit our interviews by physically cutting the tape with razor blades and splicing it together with sticky tape!"

Times have certainly changed since then. Now all editing is done digitally on a computer.

After her training, Cathy worked at various local radio stations before ending up in Sheffield where she reported on the pit closure programme.

She then made the move into television, joining Look North in 1993.

"Reporting for Look North is a dream job for me. I love its variety and pace, and I never know what my working day will hold. While working on the programme, I've cuddled a chimp, looped the loop and met Alan Bennett - a hero of mine. There aren't many jobs that can boast that."