LOCAL Learning Centres could be coming to every neighbourhood in the town.

The Swindon Learning Ambassadors have outlined their plans to give more people a chance to learn new skills.

And if the plans go ahead Swindon Learning Ambassadors co-ordinator, Kate Rowe, hopes they will replicate the one already open in Penhill.

The news follows more than a year of meetings and working with local people, asking them what they want in their own community, and plans suggest that new centres are needed in the Parks, East Walcot, Pinehurst and Moredon.

"Local learning groups, community groups, voluntary organisations and residents have all been discussing ways of improving the prospects of thousands of Swindon residents by increasing the number of adults learners," said Mrs Rowe.

"By targeting the type of learning opportunities to especially suit the needs of residents in Penhill, learning groups play a crucial role in widening participation in adult learning.

"The Penhill Learning Centre has been great and is really popular. In fact there are now more adult learners in Penhill than there are in Lawn.

"We really want something like this in each neighbourhood."

The centres would provide a range of opportunities, including numeracy, literacy and IT training.

There will also be courses in health and well-being, including yoga and crisis management.

With the groundwork done the agencies working to make this happen will need to decide what each area will actually benefit from.

"Each neighbourhood has its own needs," said Mrs Rowe. "Although Moredon is not one of the most deprived areas in the town there is not much going on there for the community.

"If people have this resource on their doorsteps then we hope people will want to come along and improve their skills."

South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove is backing the plans put forward by the Learning Ambassadors.

She said: "They have a remarkable rapport with members of the communities they represent.

"As an ex-teacher and education advisor I am very impressed with the work being done by the learning ambassadors."

It is hoped that the centres will all be up and running within the next two years.