A POPULAR learning and skills centre threatened with closure last year has almost doubled its intake of students in the last 12 months.

The Redi Centre in Smallwood became the subject of an extensive business plan after a proposal to axe it as part of a cost-cutting exercise by Redditch Council was shelved.

The now thriving centre has continued to be run by the council but a number of new courses have been introduced and opening hours have been extended to attract more clients.

The courses on offer vary from carpentry to Indian head message and the centre has recently been awarded an accreditation for the European Computer Driving Licence.