AN ADULT education charity is one of the first 100 British businesses to have spun out from the public sector.

Aspire Sussex attended a celebratory reception hosted by Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude at 10 Downing Street.

Formerly West Sussex Adult and Community Learning Service, part of West Sussex County Council, Aspire became a mutual in September 2012 – the first adult education service in the UK to do so.

It is now one of 100 organisations delivering £1.5 billion of public sector services in new and different ways.

Speaking after the event, Judith McManus, acting chief executive for Aspire, said: “It was a privilege to attend and for all our efforts to be recognised.

“We’ve been on a massive learning journey over the past two years and all our staff have had to work together to think differently and start to learn new skills.”

Aspire Sussex recently launched a new programme of adult education courses.

For further information people are asked to visit the website www.aspiresussex.org.uk.

They can also call 0345 601 0161 or email the educational charity on enquiries@aspiresussex.org.uk.