thousands of people in the North-East are to be asked how they would spend £118m to raise educational achievement and skills learning.

Pam Eccles, executive director of the Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley, is keen that anyone with an interest in learning after the age of 16 has their say.

People in Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton can attend three consultation meetings later this month, or return a fax form, complete a questionnaire or log in to a website - www. Isc.gov.uk.

The council wants to encourage more youngsters to stay on for further education, to increase the demand for learning among adults, while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of learning and training opportunities.

The organisation is the local branch of the national Learning and Skills Council, which aims to have British people equipped with the knowledge and productive skills to match the best in the world, by 2010.

Mrs Eccles said: "The initial consultation is part of a planning process to seek the views of people concerned with all types of post-16 learning."

The first consultation on raising skill levels for national competitiveness is being held at the Morton Park Business Training Centre, Yarm Road, Darlington, on Tuesday, May 22, at 9am, and at Redcar Leisure Centre at 5pm the same day. There will be a consultation at Hartlepool Historic Quay, at 9am, the following day