BOLTON shoppers are being urged to give a helping hand to a boy genius.

Robert Thompson has already passed his Maths GCSE and is currently studying for his A-level - at the age of 10!

His extremely high IQ, however, means that Robert has problems attending school and his mother Mary teaches him at their home in Canterbury Close, Atherton.

But, his quest for knowledge is already outstripping her ability to help him, and she needs a computer to offer more information.

So, she is appealing to local shoppers to pass on spare vouchers in the current Tesco Computers for Schools' campaign being run at stores in the area.

Tesco's national marketing controller Jenny Gilmore explained: "Recognising the needs of gifted children, we have agreed to allow the Thompson family to collect vouchers for the '96 scheme so that Robert has a chance of claiming computer equipment for use at home."

The Tesco scheme, now in its fifth year, has already enabled some local schools to claim Acorn computers, computerware and other educational equipment. Added Mrs Thompson: "Robert absorbs information at a terrific rate and he urgently needs a computer for his studies. We would be very glad of any help."

Spare Tesco vouchers can be sent to Mrs Thompson at 33 Canterbury Close, Atherton.

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