One in five Sussex residents lacks even the most basic understanding of reading, writing and arithmetic.

A shocking survey shows we have some of the worst literacy and numeracy rates in the South East, with a significant section of the population handicapped by their lack of knowledge.

Young people who leave school without a basic knowledge of the three R's quickly discover it hampers their progress in the workplace.

It will also affect their daily lives, with some unable even to perform everyday tasks like counting their change in shops.

For years these adults have struggled on, afraid to ask for help because of the stigma surrounding problems with literacy and numeracy.

As a result their aspirations are limited and they end up stuck in low paid, low skill jobs with little hope of progress.

Schemes like the imaginative adult learning partnership between Seeda and Brighton and Hove's street cleaners are a welcome step forward and will benefit the whole community