HERE is a formula that anyone can understand: Bolton College equals success.

The college has won £60,000 to develop a smartphone app that helps people solve everyday maths problems while also improving their own mathematical skills.

Maths Everywhere was one of just four apps chosen from across the country to make it through the final of the Apps4Us challenge to develop an app to boost adult maths skills in England.

The public were asked to vote for the app they most liked and Maths Everywhere, developed by information learning technology manager Paul McKean with the help of maths lecturer Catherine Langstreth, emerged victorious.

The app can be used to solve problems such as how much fuel is needed for a journey or calculating sale prices when out shopping — and it also encourages users to learn how to work out the problems themselves and take a formal qualification.

Mr McKean said: “Students and staff at Bolton College are really excited to be able to turn the Maths Everywhere app from a design concept into a reality — we’d like to thank everyone who voted.

“The app will help people to solve simple everyday maths calculations in a fun and engaging way.

“We hope that our app will inspire users and help to increase their confidence.

“Ultimately, we’d like to encourage more people to go on to study maths at a higher level.”

Pat Harrison, the college’s director of 14 to 19-year-olds, said: “We are committed to ensuring that every learner who has yet to attain a GCSE in maths and English has the opportunity to work towards this while they are at the college.

"This app will be a fantastic boost to our campaign to bring the fun back into maths.

“It will also emphasise just how important these skills are to young people and adults when preparing to enter the world of work."

The app will be developed by Modern English, a firm that has developed digital and Facebook campaigns for clients including Kylie Minogue.

The Apps4Us competition is run by NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.