A PARTNERSHIP has been set up to improve lifelong learning and tackle several key educational issues in the North-East.

The University of Sunderland has joined forces with six of the region's further education colleges to help enhance the region's economic, social and cultural development.

The partners will tackle issues such as staying-on rates and skills shortages, as well as building on current success in attracting students where there is no family history of further education.

The Strategic Partnership Agreement involves the university, City of Sunderland College, New College Durham, Gateshead College, South Tyneside and North Tyneside colleges and East Durham and Houghall Community College.

They will team up with organisations such as the Learning and Skills Council and Connexions to increase the number of pupils staying on after secondary school.

The partners will also work with local education authorities to try to raise levels of GCSE achievement and there will be help for foundation degree students to go on to achieve honours degrees.

Sunderland University educational partnerships head Sue Reece said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the colleges to raise the aspirations and opportunities available for people in the region."