All the adult education classes run in Cockermouth and subsidised by Cumbria County Council have been axed.

A county councillor is calling for a full explanation why.

For many years, a range of courses has been held in the town, most of them at Cockermouth School.

But course tutors were contacted last week and told that classes they were expecting to start in September would no longer be run.

County councillor Eric Nicholson said: "The county council allocated £30,000 to Cockermouth School to run maths and English courses but the school has decided not to run them and returned the money."

All other courses, like pottery, art and cooking, have also been axed.

Most of them were run at the school, others took place in Lorton Street Methodist Hall, Papcastle and Eaglesfield village halls.

The Government has cut adult education funding, Coun Nicholson said, although it was not clear if Cockermouth School was being expected to deliver the classes on a reduced budget.

Coun Nicholson said: "I'm very disappointed, it's essential that adults should be able to access these courses, particularly the academic ones. 

"I know these courses are being delivered elsewhere but I also know Workington is oversubscribed so it appears that people are going to be let down."

He has called for a report from the county council officers involved before deciding what action to take next.

"Now that the school is becoming an academy and will have its own budget they may feel it would not be beneficial to the school to run adult education. I don't know the reasoning behind this decision though," he said.

No-one from Cockermouth School was available for comment.

A Cumbria County Council spokesman said: “We had planned to continue offering adult education courses in the town but Cockermouth School recently advised us they will no longer be providing the service.

"Unfortunately it’s not possible to make alternative arrangements as the courses were due to start in September.

“The funding for providing essential skills and employability focused courses, which would have been earmarked for adult education in Cockermouth, will now be invested in courses with our other adult education providers in Allerdale.”

Tony Magorrian, of Seaton, runs a fitness class at Papcastle Village Hall, as part of the adult education scheme.

He said: "I was contacted last week and told that because the school was turning in to an academy it did now want the further education side any more.

"I think it's an absolute travesty, a lot of people who support further education have sons and daughters at the school as well.

"Cockermouth and the surrounding area does need further education as there are not the same opportunities as elsewhere."

Mr Magorrian still plans to run his classes on a private basis.