Croydon College student Martin Dunbar-Hall has been nominated for the adult learner of the year award.

The award, sponsored by the National Organisation for Adult Learning, aims to recognise the country's best mature students during adult learners' week, which runs from May 15 to 21.

He was nominated for the award after completing introductory ICT and adult numeracy courses with Learndirect and the Continuing Education and Training Service (CETS).

Mr Dunbar-Hall is currently studying Croydon College's access to science and computing programme, which the 40-year-old hopes will help him on his way to becoming a science teacher.

After a 19-year break from the classroom, Mr Dunbar-Hall is now hoping to gain a place at University College London in October to study for a degree.

He said: "Croydon is my local college and has a good reputation. I came to an open day at the college where I was able to find out more about the programmes I was interested in.

"I have now been studying on the access programme for two terms and the amount of support that is available from technicians and staff in the flexible learning area is remarkable. Staff make time for you."

He also paid tribute to his partner Nannette who fully supported him after taking the decision to go back to education.