LEARNING how to climb trees or draw cartoons are just two of the ways people in County Durham can enjoy a free taste of learning.

The national Bitesize Course campaign will run until July 21, and aims to encourage more than 50,000 adults to attend free one or two hour courses, aimed at giving them a taste for learning.

More than 4,000 courses have been organised in the county, by the Learning and Skills Council.

They are designed to give adults a taste of achievement in a range of activities from using a computer and basic literacy, to alternative therapies and curtain alteration.

Austin McNamara, executive director of the Learning and Skills Council County Durham, took the opportunity himself to learn some of the skills and attributes needed by firefighters.

He said: "Ideally, Bitesize will help people who have avoided education since leaving school to realise how fulfilling it can be and help reinforce the message that improving skills through learning can have an impact on what you earn."

For details of courses call Learndirect on 0800 100 900 or visit the website at www.lsc.gov.uk/bitesizecourses.