THE organisers of a trailblazing adult education scheme have hit out after being forced to shut down due to lack of funding.

The Skillshare scheme at the Trinity Youth and Community Centre in Clitheroe is to close with the loss of four jobs, after losing a £26,000 annual grant from Lancashire County Council.

And organisers have accused county councillors of being 'out of step' with government policy on adult education.

The innovative scheme, which started 12 years ago, sees qualified volunteers 'sharing their skills' with adult learners.

Participants from a wide range of backgrounds and ages have gained experience and qualifications in subjects such as book-keeping, computers, photography, Asian and European cookery, interview techniques and guitar-playing.

Now, angry organisers have written to Education Secretary David Blunkett demanding action.

"Government policy says adult education should be aiming for exactly what we are offering. I just can't believe that we are being forced to close down. Our nursery will also be forced to close, yet the Government wants more childcare places. It is ridiculous," Skillshare coordinator Melanie Kilmister said. "The Ribble Valley is a large rural area deprived of facilities for adult learning. Thousands of local people have benefited from our courses. People give their skills voluntarily and we are even accredited by Lancaster University.

"Our courses are particularly popular with women returning to work, who are also a target market for the Government. We are calling on the county council to reconsider."

"The Government states that it wants to lift barriers to learning, making it convenient and welcoming," Melanie added.

"For 12 years that is exactly what we have been doing. Our students don't need to travel to Blackburn or Accrington and childcare is provided. We will be writing to David Blunkett to ask him to take action," Melanie said.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said the Skillshare funding had been cut "in order to meet difficult budget constraints."

"Early discussions took place to help Skillshare prepare for the likely reduction in grant.

"We have assisted by providing a small transitional grant and exploring with them alternative avenues for funding, so that provision could be maintained in the area."

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