South Thames College is encouraging residents who have difficulty completing simple, everyday tasks because of poor reading, writing and maths skills to join its free return to study courses.

Figures recently compiled by the Basic Skills Agency the government body responsible for increasing literacy and numeracy in adults show that 20 per cent of Wandsworth residents aged 16 and over are below national standards in maths and English.

The college, which has centres in Wandsworth High Street, Tooting High Street and Roehampton, offers basic skills and return to study courses. The courses are all free of charge and are available full or part-time.

Devon Edwards, 39, said the courses have been a great help in dealing with day to day tasks: I decided to come to college because I realised I

couldnt read or write well enough to cope with the paperwork of everyday life.

Im looking forward to being able to do work with my brain instead of physical work. Education is there for everybody and I am getting the education I never had before.

Sylvia Pethybridge saw the college prospectus in a doctors waiting room: I thought, Ive just got to go, its the only way Im going to help myself.

My grandchildren often ask me how to spell a word and I am looking forward to being able to help them with their reading and writing.

l Meanwhile, controversial plans to open a new sixth form college on Lambeths borough boundary have been scrapped, dispelling fears pupils would be poached from Wandsworth.

The proposals for an expanded centre for 16 to 19 year olds in Lambeth College, Clapham Common, caused uproar at Wandsworth Council, which said it would be in direct competition with St Francis Xavier College less than a mile away in Malwood Road, Balham.

Wandsworths cabinet member for education Councillor Malcolm Grimston said: This is good news for those of us who want to see taxpayers money invested in institutions like St Francis Xavier which has a proven track record of success.

By.Daniel Judge