A 60-YEAR-OLD refuse collector who went back to the classroom after 25 years' service has emerged with flying colours.

Great-grandfather Bruce Bassett, from east Cleveland, is one of 14 refuse workers from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to successfully complete an NVQ level two in Cleansing of Highway Land.

The council became the first authority in the country to offer its cleansing staff the chance of an NVQ in 1998, and since then 75 per cent of its 92-strong workforce has completed the training.

The work has included on-site assessment and periodic workshops, with each of the men completing ten units over a year.

Mr Bassett is one of eight refuse loaders, five refuse drivers and a sweeper driver to pass the exams.

Yesterday, he received his certificate from Redcar MP Vera Baird at the authority's depot in Warrenby, near Redcar.

Ms Baird said: "I am a strong supporter of work-based learning and vocational qualifications.

"The NVQ certificates that have been achieved by Redcar and Cleveland staff are evidence of their success in providing a vital public service to the residents of the borough.

"I am glad to be able to add my thanks to those of all the other customers of Redcar to the refuse collections staff for the good service they provide in all weather throughout the year."

Mr Bassett said: "I just thought I'd give it a try and enjoyed it, really learnt a lot. And when I picked up the certificate, I was chuffed. Not bad at 60 to pass something like that."