A GROUP of students on Teesside has achieved the highest qualifications required for teaching adult basic skills.

The trainee teachers at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough, are the first in the north to have reached a level four rating in literacy and numeracy courses.

Course leader Sharon Powell said: "This is a great achievement for us at the University of Teesside.

"We are totally committed to the Government's campaign to improve adult levels of literacy and numeracy and we are very proud to have our students gain the level four qualifications."