A CHILDREN'S tuition centre could be the latest addition to Stourbridge's revamped Crown Centre if Dudley planners give the go-ahead.

Explore Learning, which has 90 centres across the UK, is seeking planning permission to change the use of two retail units and convert them into education centre to provide English and maths tuition for children aged between five and 14.

More than half of the centres are located within supermarkets and this centre would be housed in the units that form part of the Tesco Extra development - that are now all let.

If permission is granted, the centre will be open seven days a week, and hold up to 100 tutoring sessions per day, which would last for 75 minutes.

Sessions would supplement normal school lessons and cater for children of all abilities.

A planning statement submitted to the council, said the centre would create employment for around 20 people, add to the diversity of the town and encourage parents to use shops and facilities within the town while their child is being tutored.

The statement continued: "All Explore Learning centres work closely with their local schools and run a year-round programme of free events for schools such as literacy workshops and assemblies. Classes will often visit the Explore centre during the school day to take part in maths or literacy sessions, before member sessions begin at 3pm.

"The centres are vibrant, inspiring places that make children feel as if they are attending a club rather than a classroom. During their session, members work with tutors on programmes that have been individually tailored for their own needs and ability levels."

The council will make a decision about the application in the next few months.