ADULTS in Tonbridge will get the chance to go back to the classroom next month as part of a special week in the town.

The Adult Learners Week starts with an information event at Tonbridge Library where staff from West Kent College, the University of Kent and Kent Adult Education service will be on hand to answer questions about the many courses on offer.

The University of Kent's Tonbridge campus, in Avebury Avenue, offers part-time degree courses for adult learners, with students attending classes once a week and a degree taking six years to complete.

And to give prospective students a taste of what studying would entail the university is holding a series of free one-hour lectures.

Degree courses are mainly humanities-based and the free lectures will cover subjects such as archeology, art history, modern history and English literature.

University spokesman Esther van Hout said she wanted to raise the profile of the Tonbridge site, which has been offering courses for the past 20 years.

"There are a lot of opportunities for young people in education but not so much for more mature people," she said, "so it's important that people know we're here.

"We provide a range of degree and diploma courses for adults and as students come to classes once a week there is the opportunity for social interaction. Students can get together and go for coffee.

"We have students in their 20s and 30s and right up to their 60s and 70s."

Student of comparative literary studies Jenny Sharman said: "Last year I attended an informal talk about literature courses at the University of Kent's Tonbridge centre and it was the nudge I needed. "It was friendly and unintimidating, and the tutor's amazing enthusiasm was inspiring. It gave me confidence.

"I was so excited to begin the course and so far it has more than lived up to my expectations."

The Learners' Event will take place at Tonbridge Library on May 11 from 10am to 4pm.

Adult Learners Week takes place from May 9 to 15.