A LANDMARK in adult learning has been reached at a dales community centre with the presentation of certificates to students, many of them pensioners.

Since it opened 18 months ago with grants totalling £60,000, Stanhope Community Centre has increased the courses it offers, and now attracts 140 adult students from Upper Teesdale and Weardale.

Most of the grants came from Durham County Council's Education in the Community scheme, whose manager, Dave Emmerson, presented certificates to students.

He said: "This has been a big challenge for us, and those who have helped bring it to fruition deserve our respect.

"The key factor in funding is the support we have been able to give local people to develop learning skills in their own community."

Mr Emmerson said that throughout the county, the scheme had attracted more than 7,500 adult students.

He said: "We have established what local people want and we plan to do more."

Catherine Reed, who has been a development worker at the centre since it the building was bought nearly two years ago, said: "This is our first presentation night and it is a very proud moment not just for the students, but for all those who have helped make our classes a success."

For information about courses at the centre, call (01388) 526939.