AWARD winner Lilian Ward has proved there is truth in the saying "you are never too old to learn".

The 100-year-old enrolled on a lip-reading class at the Christchurch Centre, in Stone, two years ago.

Now, the lively pensioner is a valued member of the group that aims to help adults cope with hearing loss and even gives lifts to housebound classmates, which she describes as "helping the old folk".

The former drapery shop owner, from Stone, was among dozens of high achievers from across North Staffordshire to be honoured last night at the LearnMore Awards at the Civic Centre, in Stoke.

Judges said she had "deliberately looked for classes that taught her new skills, allowing her to maintain her independence and communicate with those around her."

Lilian, who was honoured in the Lifelong Learning category, said: "I'm overwhelmed. I'm deaf and lip reading is a good way to get round it. We are a very friendly group of around 12 people and we keep each other going. I hope to be taking part for years to come."

The LearnMore Awards were organised by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership as part of Adult Learners' Week.

They were set up to reward individuals who have displayed commitment to learning and who have become an inspiration to their peers and colleagues.

Other winners included Leeson Underhill, who fell 30 feet (nine metres) from a railway bridge in Stone last summer. He came first in the Special Achievement category.

The 17-year-old, from Stone, suffered 50 per cent burns in the fall and surgeons had to amputate the lower part of one of his legs. He has also had several skin grafts.

Leeson, who had been on a plumbing course at Stafford College when the accident happened, was forced to switch direction and instead took up a placement on an art and design course.

He said: "It feels great. I did not expect this award. While I was in Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital I saw people from the Army who were a lot worse off than me and that motivated me to keep going."

Another winner was North Staffordshire YMCA's Start Up Citywide Initiative, which helps parents across the city.

Working closely with parents who have children under the age of 16, programme leaders help them overcome obstacles that might prevent them getting a job.

The scheme was commended for supporting hundreds of parents from some of the Potteries' most deprived communities, helping them to learn more and improve the prospects for their children.

Chris Deakin, is the programme manager at the YMCA, in Hanley, which won the Most Inspirational Educator category and was also honoured in the Most Active In The Community category.

He said: "I'm really proud of what the programme has achieved over the last seven years. I think it has been successful because it fits the needs of people who have left school with no qualifications and have been written off.

"We got 40 parents back into employment last year which shows the success of the scheme."

Guest speakers at the event included BBC sports commentator and Olympic swimming bronze medal winner Steve Parry, pictured.

The event was compered by The Sentinel's head of community contacts Martin Tideswell.

Each category winner took away a trophy designed by Matt Bunn, a student on the council's e2e learning programme.