Hope for Newbattle

Scotland's sole adult residential college, Newbattle Abbey, has won a hearing from Scottish education minister Brian Wilson on the restoration of its grant, axed in 1989. The college funds about 20 mature students annually through diplomas in European and Scottish studies which are accepted as entrance qualifications by the four ancient Scottish universities. Mr Wilson said: "The government is committed to increasing the numbers from under-represented groups going into higher education."