A MAN who fled violence and government oppression in his homeland has told of his gratitude after learning English on a council-run course.

Aung Kaung Myat, who fled Burma last year, was presented with a certificate for completing an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course run by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Aung, along with around 20 others, received their certificates at the Bank Top Access Point, Arthur Way, Blackburn, yesterday, and he said the course had been vital for him to start a new life in the UK.

The IT technician fled the Asian country after the Government tried to forcibly suppress pro-democracy demonstrators through military violence.

Aung, who is training to become a computer engineer, said: "The Home Office put me in Liverpool when I first came here and I could not understand one word of English.

"This course has helped me so much. I am lucky to be here in this town because other places do not have courses like this.

"I can write my CV myself and I can communicate with other people so thank you to everybody who has given me the opportunity to attend this course."

It has been run by Blackburn with Darwen Council's lifelong learning department in order to help immigrants improve their speaking, understanding and writing of English.

The courses ran from August to December last year and the £110,000 funding for the courses came from The European Social Fund.

The presentation ceremony was attended by people from Pakistan, India, Congo and Cameroon as they all came together to celebrate their success.

Another of those who attended the course was Florentin Boudjeko, from Cameroon.

Since attending the class, Florentin said he had become a lot more confident and he has now set up his own salsa dancing class at Darwen Community Centre.

He added: "We hoped we could pass the course and I am just happy to be here to celebrate what we did last year."

Naseem Abbas, from Pakistan, said the course had made massive difference to his quality of life since coming to Blackburn.

"I had many problems speaking English with my family and finding work, but I have now found myself a job and speak English all the time with my family," he added.