"SUCCESS through learning" is the new mission statement from Basingstoke College of Technology and one that was celebrated in style as the borough's army of adult learners were saluted at last year's awards.

Basingstoke's inaugural Adult Learner Awards toasted people who continue to add to their knowledge and skills with extra qualifications and courses after leaving formal education.

Some even go on to study in their 80s - as Tuesday night's celebrations at Milestones proved.

And it was Judith Armstrong, principal designate of BCOT, who gave a speech full of praise for mature students on a date specially chosen to coincide with the national Adult Learners' Week.

She said: "The overwhelming message that I want to convey is that learning changes lives for ever and for the better - we are never the same again."

Mrs Armstrong should know. She has been an avid adult learner with career-associated exams in IT and a Masters degree, as well as studying Spanish for her own personal pleasure.

She said: "Learning is about changing from the inside. It's not about a new hairstyle or wardrobe or car - it's not a superficial change."

The message, she said, came through over and over again in the application forms, where the students described how learning has given them confidence and self-esteem, the feel-good factor, a feeling of contribut- ing to society and even leading to become a professional in a chosen field.

She acknowledged how much hard work was involved to cope with the commitments of adult life and embark on a learning course, but stressed: "Not only does it help us to survive and succeed in our pressur-ised and often turbulent world, there are associated life skills of improving one's ability to communicate, manage time and commitments."

She added: "Finally, it is fun meeting like-minded individuals, making friends, helping each other, sharing the highs and the lows and the social aspects of learning."

Before making her speech, Mrs Armstrong admitted to having re-watched the classic film Educating Rita.

She said: "We see how Rita, a second-chance Open University student, totally changes her life, her expectations, ambitions and aspirations.

"While most of us will not have Michael Caine providing our support on the learning journey, we - like Rita - are similarly changed by our learning experiences."

The presentations at the celebration dinner at Milestones were made by Cllr Gerry Traynor.

He was there in his role of deputy mayor of Basingstoke and Deane - just 48 hours before he was due to take up office as borough mayor.

On stage with him were Cllr Paul Harvey, employment skills and learning portfolio holder, and Mark Jones, editor of Gazette Newspapers.