ARROW Valley Countryside Centre has been awarded a grant to continue its family learning programme - despite being earmarked for closure.

The Battens Drive centre has been awarded a £1,200 grant from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to support a six-month programme of free family events which kick off this month.

The grant has been issued even though Redditch Council listed its closure as one of its money-saving options, along with Forge Mill Museum and Bordesley Visit-ors Centre.

But centre spokesman Val Wilson is urging residents to sign up for the forthcoming events and take full advantage of the centre.

"We are just going to carry on as normal and we are asking families to come along and sign up for the full six months of events," she said.

The fun starts on January 29 with Bird Caf, giving families the chance to make tasty treats for feathered friends between 11am and 4pm.

Forthcoming activities include bluebell walks and craft workshops using willow.

This is the second consecutive year the centre has received a grant from the LSC - through Worcestershire County Council - in recognition of its support of family learning schemes.

A county council spokesman said: "The Countryside Centre's scheme is a double whammy for us.

"It not only provides an opportunity for families to learn those basic skills we are targeting, it also offers the chance to learn about wider issues concerning the environment."