A GROUP of 60 retired people, many of whom left school early, have successfully tackled a new challenge at a university computing course.

Members of the Houghton-le-Spring Cameo Club took a half-day version of Sunderland University's Computing for Beginners course at the David Goldman Informatics Centre, St Peter's Campus.

The group used some of the open-plan building's 500 computer terminals - a far cry from the classrooms of their youth.

The visit was part of a busy programme of social events and outings for the group, which meets once a week and whose oldest member is 93.

Lady Margaret Vardy, co-ordinator of the club, which meets at the Bethany Christian Centre, Hetton Road, Houghton-le-Spring, said: "Some of the group never had the opportunity to study beyond 14 and the university visit was a real eye-opener for them."

Every Cameo Club member participating in the course was presented with a commemorative certificate by University of Sunderland vice-chancellor Professor Peter Fidler