THE story of Horace Coward, featured on our education page today, is truly inspirational. Mr Coward will be like many doting grandparents in all but one respect later this year when he sees his granddaughter Zoe graduate from university.

The difference for Mr Coward is that he will be graduating alongside Zoe.

At the age of 79 – and having left school at 15 without any qualifications – Mr Coward is completing a degree in sociology at the University of Worcester.

The former forklift truck driver decided to go back to the classroom after the death of his wife eight years ago.

Since then he has gained a GCSE in sociology before embarking on his degree course.

And he says the university experience has made him feel 20 years younger.

Good for him.

This week is Adult Learners’ Week and people like Horace Coward should be an inspiration to anyone thinking of expanding their education at an older age.

Mr Coward is living proof that you are never too old to learn something new.

There are many people who, for a variety of reasons, did not achieve as much as they could at school.

As adults they may feel capable of gaining qualifications but think the door is closed to them.

People like Horace Coward show the door is wide open to anyone wanting to better themselves or keep their minds active in later life.