A CARER who looked after his ill father for five years is dedicating the rest of his life to helping others.

James Beckett, 50, of Porlock Road, Billingham, set aside his career as a furniture restorer to look after his father, who suffered from dementia, until his death earlier this year.

After his father passed away, Mr Beckett enrolled in the New Deal 50-plus scheme at Billingham JobCentre to try to find another job.

He was eager to work with people with Alzheimer's disease and enrolled on an NVQ course with the help of personal advisor Elaine Pearson.

He said: "I didn't just want to care for the elderly, but to specialise in caring for people with Alzheimer's, after helping my dad.

"All the jobs needed a year's experience and an NVQ, so Elaine helped me get in touch with a college at Hartlepool to enrol on a course.

"Part of that was to put me on a placement at a nursing home in Blackhall.

"I was only there two weeks when I was called into the office and offered a full-time job. I think it was because of the experience I had gained looking after my dad,"

Mr Beckett is eager to encourage other people of his age to retrain to achieve their ambitions. He said: "If I can do this then anybody can.