A TAVISTOCK man will celebrate his second regional award in 12 months this weekend, when he is named South West adult learner of the year at a ceremony in Plymouth.

Mark Wickett, an adult learner with the Tavistock Adult Better Basic Skills Unit, was already named Devon Coach of the Year last November for his work with Tavistock Thistles Football Club.

Mark was virtually a non-reader when he first attended the basic skills unit. His motivation was to take the Football Association coaching exam to help improve his work with the youngsters at Thistles.

Mark said: 'I wanted to be able to read for pleasure, for work and for the self satisfaction of just being able to do it.'

Now Mark hopes to continue learning using computers and the internet and has just been re-assessed and confirmed as a qualified coach for the Football Association.

Mark's nominator for adult learner of the year said: 'Having been a non-reader up to his forties, he could still summon the courage to admit to his literacy difficulties, ask for help and work extremely hard.'

Mark will receive his award at a ceremony in the Civic Centre on Saturday.

l An exhibition of work and information on vocational courses and those for leisure and fun is on display at the Alexander Centre and Tavistock Library as part of Adult Learners Week 2002.