PARENTS are being urged to 'shop' for their children's future by visiting a new store dedicated to promoting learning opportunities.

The Learning and Skills Shop has opened in Parliament Row, Hanley, and offers information about further education courses, apprenticeships and training, how to get financial support while studying, and other key tips.

Students can even enrol on the spot.

It has been set up by Stoke-on-Trent College, Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Now staff want to attract more parents, whose children have picked up GCSEs or A-levels this month and haven't decided on the next step to take.

As well as further education, they can find out about higher education courses, which can sometimes be taken through a college as well as through university.

Recruitment adviser Angela Hancock, who works at the Learning and Skills Shop, said: "We get a lot of parents coming in who are 'shopping' on behalf of their children.

"It is easy to call in and there's always someone to talk to who can offer help and advice."

The shop can also help adults who want to return to education themselves.