ADULT learning in Darlington has improved since an inspection earlier this year, according to a new report.

The Adult Learning Inspectorate has re-inspected Darlington Borough Council's learning provision after it previously found the service was inadequate in language, technology and management.

Again inspectors looked at the complete service and found no decrease in standards in areas that had previously scored well.

This included a top mark for family learning, where parents and children learn skills together.

That was the highest possible mark and Darlington's adult learning service is one of the first in the country to be graded so highly.

The new inspection found that the number of people taking and staying on technology courses was now good and a high proportion of learners were making good progress.

Teaching was also rated as good, as was the management of the service.

The main criticism in the re-inspection was over the limited range of courses, little learning provision at the weekend or in school holidays, and few courses to attract fathers.

Lee Vasey, the council's cabinet member for leisure, said: "The inspection shows that the adult learning service continues to improve.

"Its commitment to family learning has been praised as outstanding and the comments from the re-inspection are welcomed."