GWENT pensioner Anne Price has told Assembly Members why expanding learning opportunities for all adults - not only those in the employment market - is so important.

Mrs Price, (pictured) a retired speech therapist from Caerleon, said learning was the key to her continuing an active life and avoiding the danger of being "confined to an armchair in a forgotten corner".

She was speaking at the launch of a pre-election 'manifesto' - published by the grass roots body the All-Wales Adult Learners Forum - calling for politicians to take more account of the wider benefits of learning when setting their budgets.

The 67-year-old said that more learning opportunities could have a major positive impact on health service budgets and greatly improve community life across Wales.

She told AMs how she recently plucked up the courage to learn computer skills in her 60s, after many years at home caring for relatives.

Mrs Price has since used those skills to help organise local dog shows and to support her husband with his interest in collecting rare books, artefacts, ceramics and glass. She has taken exams for five courses at the Learn-IT centre, in Cwmbran, and is due to sit two more this year.

"I decided to do it to get me into the 21st century, primarily to get access to information on the Internet to support my other interests.

"I wouldn't have got as much out of my interests without doing these courses, and I think I'm a more interesting person for having done it.

"I'm more alert and I'm healthier because I've been active." Mrs Price backed the forum's call for the introduction of more learning without testing in order to attract older people.

"The advantages of learning for older people far exceeds the subject or skill being studied or acquired.

"It has enormous power to revitalise us physically and mentally, leading to increased self-esteem and worth," she said.

John Gates, chairman of the forum, told AMs how recent research supported the belief that adult learners, especially the over-60s, were less prone to illness and more likely to use their skills in voluntary work for the benefit of their communities.

"This is not just about jobs, it's about better health, personal well-being and stronger communities," he said.