FIREFIGHTER Ian Jack is planning to swap driving a fire engine for the high-tech world of computers

To help him get the necessary skills he has just become the 1,000th learner to enrol at a drop-in centre in Northallerton High Street.

Mr Jack, who has been with the fire service for 24 years, is preparing for his retirement in 18 months by brushing up and expanding his computer skills at the LearnDirect unit run by Northallerton College, which is based in the town's careers centre.

The 48-year-old wants to return to the sort of job he had in the Army years ago. Mr Jack was a supply specialist, which involved not only handling Army stores but, if necessary, buying supplies locally.

He already has practical experience with computers, but now he is studying for the European Computer Driving Licence.

"I'm learning to do things the proper way," he said.

"I like the LearnDirect way of doing things.

"It's very friendly and structured, and you can fit it around other things, including fire brigade shifts."

Mr Jack, who has a son and a daughter, runs a Cub Scout group in Northallerton in his spare time. He hopes to be awarded his computer driving licence in about seven months.

The training and learning manager at the college, Dr Graham Best, said: "We have welcomed our thousandth learner after only just over 12 months," he said.