EMPLOYEES and users of an on-line learning centre in Malvern will celebrate its first birthday next week.

Community On Line, which offers courses at reduced prices from its base at Malvern Library, Graham Road, is a year old on August 21.

Staff will help celebrate a successful inaugural year by throwing a special party for users and potential users exactly a year to the day that the service started.

"We are totally happy with the way it has gone," said the centre's Catherine Gardner.

"The thing with Malvern is the word of mouth round here is incredible. People coming in have been recommended by their best friends, aunties, everyone. It's gone bananas with people recommending other people.

"Obviously we are getting a good reputation locally which we are pleased about and we are happy that people are signing up for more courses.

"We must be doing the right thing because the feedback that we are getting is that people are really pleased."

The Online at Malvern centre is run on government educational funds as part of Worcester College of Technology and in partnership with Worcestershire County Council's library service.

A similar service is available at a centre in Langland.

Managed by Alan Wellings the service offers IT, business and basic skills courses at a fraction of the price they would normally expect to pay, £10 for £44 courses.

Since November the service has enrolled 424 learners and interest shows no sign of dropping off.