A WOMAN who could barely speak a word of English when she started working as a cleaner at a South Lakes holiday park is celebrating after rising through the ranks to the top.

Zuzana Terry, 36, from Slovakia, only knew the basics of the English language when she got a job cleaning the facilities at Fell End Caravan Park at Hale, near Milnthorpe, in 2005.

Within a short space of time she began helping out in the on-site shop before being promoted to duty manager in 2008.

Two years later, the park’s owners, Pure Leisure Group, moved her across to South Lakeland Leisure Village - the group’s flagship 60-acre lodge development near Carnforth.

After taking on the role of head housekeeper, she was promoted again to work on the holiday booking side of the business but bosses were so impressed that when the role of general manager came available this month, she was given the top job.

“I couldn’t believe it. It was a huge surprise and I feel really proud,” said Mrs Terry, who grew up in Sobrance in Slovakia, but now lives in Carnforth.

“When I first moved here I hardly spoke a word of English and I didn’t really know what a caravan or a lodge was. That meant I had to learn everything from scratch and I think it’s given me a huge advantage to have worked my way up and to understand how all the elements of the business work."

Mrs Terry, who recently married Matthew, the head grounds man at South Lakeland Leisure Village, said she had a number of hopes for her new role but would concentrate on 'putting people first'.

“I have loved all of my jobs because I like working with people. I’m not afraid of hard work and I know every person in the team has an important role to play in keeping a lovely place like this running smoothly.”

Pure Leisure Group owner John Morphet said: “The key to success in any business is hard work and Zuzana has shown that it’s not something she’s afraid of. I started from scratch myself after being forced out of farming due to an accident and I recognise her determination and drive to do well.”