DOZENS of people will be learning new skills and gaining qualifications this September after signing up to courses at Malvern Hills College's open day.

The event, which took place on Saturday, saw people of all ages visiting the Albert Road North-based further education college to find out about courses on offer.

Demonstrations on subjects ranging from children's ceramics and computer skills to complementary therapies and ancient Oriental history were given by tutors, who also answered questions and gave advice.

College head Lynn Phillips hailed the event, which is held every year, as a success, and said staff could now look forward to a good intake in the autumn.

"Most areas of what we teach were represented and we had a lot of enrolments," she said.

"Tutors were giving advice on various subjects that we cover, such as accounting, arts and crafts and child care."

She said she had seen a former pupil of hers bring her child in to enrol in one of the children's pottery classes run on Saturday mornings, and added that the provision of a free crche at the event helped attract people of all ages.

As well as City and Guilds, NVQ, BTEC and CASHE certificate courses for over-16s, the college is running summer courses for both children and adults.

A children's break starting on Wednesday, July 24, will run until Friday, August 2, offering art and craft-based activities for five-to-12-year-olds.

Nine days of courses for over-16s in subjects such as arts and crafts and computer skills start on August 10. More information is available from the college on 01684 565351.