THERE is no stopping category winner Trudy Evans, 78, of Neville Close, Basingstoke.

With a host of qualifications under her belt, from O-levels, A-levels and a City and Guilds 730 to a diploma from the Institute of Linguistics and an Open University degree, age has proved to be no obstacle to learning - and she insists it can be fun too.

Austrian-born Trudy came to Basingstoke in 1973 and started her first O-level the following year.

"All I wanted was to have an English O-level," recalls Trudy (pictured above).

"Since then, I have done almost continuous learning. My mother wanted me to have a degree, so I did that for her.

"I just like studying. If I didn't use my brain I would go stupid!"

She added: "I feel privileged to receive this award. I've always enjoyed the challenge of studying and like to prove I can still do it."

IT HAS never been a case of saying "sayonara" to learning for runner-up Richard Copeman, of Whitedown Road, Tadley.

With a change of job and relocation, the 34-year-old jumped at the chance to enrol on a Japanese course at BCOT.

Richard said: "I think I never really stopped learning. Japanese was always something I had wanted to learn, but my new job and subsequent move to an area that ran a Japanese course was all I needed.

"My new job required more contact with Japanese-speaking people, so it made sense to start learning."

RUNNER-UP Neil Duncan, of Sarum Hill, Basingstoke, is someone who collects qualifications!

The 45-year-old has a string of GCSEs, A-levels, ONC, HND and an MA, along with dozens of management and Microsoft courses, plus a beginners course in Gaelic.

He said: "I have never stopped learning. I didn't really find the atmosphere at school conducive to learning and wanted to carry on studying once I left.

"When my employer offered to sponsor me on a course, I was only too happy to agree."

Neil attributes his success with his studies to his "willingness to tackle new things" and "not being afraid to step outside the comfort zone".