YOU are never to old learn -that's the motto of 75-year-old Bill Southall.

Mr Southall is a part-time security guard on Teesside and is working towards his first qualification since he left school.

Funded by training group eQ8, Mr Southall and 70 colleagues from Pro-Line Securities (UK), in Ormesby, Middlesbrough, are having to study for accreditation in security guarding to meet Government requirements -or lose their jobs.

Managed by the Learning and Skills Council, eQ8 gives grants to companies that want staff training.

Mr Southall, from Middlesbrough, has been with Pro-Line Securities for two years.

He said: "It was a bit daunting at first going back to learning, but the course applies directly to my work and made perfect sense."

Annmarie Hope, the general manager of Pro-Line Securities (UK), said: "With the support of eQ8, we are on course to meet the industry deadline and back up our talented and reliable team with recognised qualifications.

"Our male and female security officers and supervisors are aged between 23 and 75, with a large number over the age of 45.

"However, whatever their age, they have all embraced the training."