Leslie and his third age eye-opener

Leslie Kennedy-Perry lost out on higher education first time around because he was with the RAF fighting in the second world war.

Now, aged 76, he is studying part time for a masters degree in European studies.

It has meant following up an interest which started while he was still a schoolboy at Wolverhampton Grammar.

Mixing with German refugees from the first world war had given him such a fascination for Germany and foreign languages that he would chat to his brother in German.

But it was only after his retirement as a special needs teacher and the death of his wife 13 years ago that he found time to study formally.

He began with A levels in French and German at Bilston Community College, followed by a BA in modern languages at Wolverhampton University.

Undeterred by the discovery of a serious cataract problem, he spent semesters at universities in Austria and France, including working as a voluntary teacher in each country.

"At Wolverhampton I was the oldest person by far but I was never treated as one," he said. "They wanted me to come into seminars because they said I had lived through things they had only studied."

Topics for the coming terms include the German Democratic Republic, fascism in Europe and European unity.

The only problem is his sight. But he is given large-print papers and extra time during exams so that he can rest his eyes.

His studies mean he can speak the language when he goes abroad and have allowed him to meet new friends. He spent last Christmas with a couple he met on his semester in Austria.

"I live on my own, the house is paid for, the kids are off my hands and I have the money to travel three or four times a year," he said. "I study for pleasure, for company and because I can't sit still."