INTERIOR design and creative lettering are two skills Newton residents are being encouraged to try as courses begin at the town's family and community centre.

The centre, in Park Road South, has recruited Chris Davies and Zandra Cunliffe to share their talents with people keen to learn.

Chris, who will run interior design sessions, is an art and design lecturer with 20 years teaching experience.

She will be offering two courses - covering home design and home crafts.

Chris said: "Design your home will look at colour in the home, how it works and how to use it, while home crafts is a more practical course, looking at refurbishing things."

And Zandra, who has been practising the art of creative lettering for eight years, said: "It's a form of calligraphy, using expressive letters."

Chris's sessions are due to start next week, while creative lettering comes to the centre at the beginning of February.

If anyone would like to find out more, call the centre on 224731.