A course offering young people a second chance to go to college is being offered at Swindon College.

The course is for people who missed out on going to college last September or who started then dropped out but want to learn a new skill and gain a qualification.

It is called Vocational Studies and starts on Monday, January 24 and runs until July, offering students between 16 and 18 the chance to train in four areas from a choice of seven. The choices are health and social care/child care; catering; floristry; interior design/painting and decorating; hair and beauty; construction and landscaping and environment.

The course is free and also includes training in key and basic skills, including IT.

Lynne Scragg, the director of students services, said: "This is a really exciting, new opportunity for people who perhaps left it too late to enrol in college in September, maybe started a job or course which hasn't worked out, or those who have realised they need skills and qualifications to improve their job prospects.

"We know there are lots of young people out there who would like a second chance to come to college and we want them to come and talk to us."

For details contact the admissions department on 01793 498 262 or email admissions@swindon-college.ac.uk.