PEOPLE planning to study at South Cheshire College in Crewe are being offered cash help towards the cost from a learning fund set up by a high-profile former student.

Grants of £200 are to be made from a £10,000 pot of funding which has been set up with the help of Councillor Brian Silvester, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council.

During his year as Mayor of the former Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, Clr Silvester chose Lifelong Learning as his theme.

A total of £5,000 was presented from the Mayor's Learning Fund and the figure doubled to £10,000 with match funding from the Crewe college.

Clr Silvester said: "As a former mature student who completed several courses at the College.

"I am delighted to able to return something back for today's students of all ages.

"As Mayor last year I was pleased to cut the first sod of the development of the new college along with the local Member of Parliament, Edward Timpson.

"We are very fortunate to have one of the best Colleges in the country in Crewe.

"The staff and governors who have been responsible for this long term success deserve to be congratulated."

Students need to be resident within the boundaries of the former Crewe and Nantwich borough and be undertaking a course during the academic year 2009/2010 which leads to a formal qualification or the awarding of a certificate.

Cash support from the Mayor's Learning Fund has also been offered to potential students of Reaseheath College.

On top of that it has helped to establish a Scholarship scheme for people wishing to study for a degree at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Crewe campus beginning September 2009.

Clr Silvester added: "Lifelong Learning is a cause close to my heart and my hope is to give as many people as possible who live within the boundaries of the former Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council area an opportunity to enrich their lives through study.

"Cost can sometimes stand in the way and these grants will go some way towards helping students afford the course of their choice.

"This financial assistance offers people of all ages the opportunity to realise their ambitions and fulfill their learning potential – it really is the chance of a lifetime. "I would like to thank all those who worked so hard to raise funds for this very worthwhile cause.”

Peter Swift, South Cheshire College principal, said: “We are pleased to be able to support the Learning Fund initiative which will benefit a number of our students financially.

“Hopefully, these grants will encourage people to come back into the education environment and sign up for the many exciting courses we offer.”