A COUNTY Durham children's author is to present prizes to adult learners.

Anne Fine, from Barnard Castle, who was Children's Laureate from 2001 to 2003, credits her success to her parents' determination to give her the education they never had.

Ms Fine said: "I'm a great believer that it is never too late to start. My parents both left school early and are exactly the kind of people who would have benefited from learning in adult life.

"I am very supportive of other people who take up learning, and those who encourage them, because of the efforts my own parents made for me. I've benefited all my life from the enormous sacrifices they made to make sure I got a good education. I greatly admire those who take the step to improve themselves."

All the learners have taken part in free courses on offer across the county.

The awards ceremony will take place in Durham County Cricket Club on Thursday, July 8.

To find out more about the free courses on offer throughout County Durham telephone County Durham Learning on (01388) 443078, or Learn Direct on freephone 0800 100900..