Meet the Middlesbrough granddad who is proving a true advocate of life-long learning.

After seeing his own children, and now his grandchildren, going through school, 83-year-old Mohammad decided the time was right to make his own return to the classroom.

Now, 60 years after moving to the UK, he is celebrating achieving his English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) qualifications.

A student at Stockton Riverside College, he believes his lessons are not only keeping him active but also helping to ward off early signs of dementia.

“I love to study,” said Mohammad who has now achieved his Entry Level 1 in Writing. It is the latest in a string of courses he has completed at the college having dusted off his English speaking, reading and listening skills, as well as tackling introductory courses in maths and IT.

“I want to continue to learn more grammar to improve my English,” he said. His ultimate ambition is to move on to his GCSE and even A level!

“I like to learn new things, and new things are happening all the time. I wanted to learn more about computing and maths.

“I saw an interesting programme about space the other night, I would like to learn more about that too!”

Moving to the UK from Kashmir in his early 20s, Mohammad recalls: “England was calling out for people to come at that time.” As a young man keen to see the world he made the long journey.

Ultimately settling with his wife in Darlington where they raised their family, he went on to build multiple careers, first working in a textile mill, then an engineering factory, before later working as a taxi driver and starting his own newsagent.

Now retired, he isn’t one for putting his feet up and despite being diagnosed with initial signs of memory loss he decided to sign up to courses at Stockton Riverside College two years ago.

Mohammad said: “I do enjoy it. College has been very nice, especially the teachers who are very supportive.”

With plans to now continue his studies at the college, he added: “I have worked hard all of my life. I have never drunk and never smoked. I like to exercise every day, either walking or going on the exercise bike. I believe it is good to keep my head working too.”