MEET the most popular teacher at The Orchards — Lucy the Shih-Tzu dog who listens to youngsters reading.

Lucy is a regular visitor to The Orchards — a federation of three schools Cherry Tree Primary School, Green Fold and The Orchards Nursery — and helps pupils who can become nervous reading to others.

The initiative is part of the Pets as Therapy (PAT) Read2Dogs Scheme.

Many pupils now look forward to reading sessions, knowing that Lucy is coming to school.

Read2Dogs has become hugely popular in schools in Bolton — but at The Orchards the initiative has been extended to help children at Green Fold Special School.

Joanna Breakwell, assistant headteacher at Green Fold, said: “The children really enjoy seeing Lucy every week.

“She has also helped some of the children overcome their fear about dogs.

“She encourages communication from the children as many of them talk to her.

“She also helps some of the children practice their walking, as taking her on a walk is very motivating.

“Lucy helps with teaching the children to be kind to animals and how to look after animals.”

Wendy Morgan, class teacher at Cherry Tree, added: “Our children love reading to Lucy.

“It is their special time to practise reading aloud and build up their confidence.

“Lucy is gentle and loves to cuddle while the child reads to her.

“Lucy and Pamela, her owner, have become a big part of our school.”

The school helped raise money for the charity at its Christmas Fair, by selling doggie biscuits, bookmarks and photographs of Lucy, raising more than £150.

Lucy's owner Pamela Hardie said: “Reading is so important, if you can read you can do anything

“This is such a worthwhile thing to do.

“The children love reading to Lucy, she listens and is non judgemental and as a result children’s confidence improves.

“Dogs and pets in general are so calming. PAT dogs have to have a lovely calm temperament.”

And the old adage never work with children or animals certainly does not apply at Cherry Tree.

Eight-year-old Ruby Matze said: “It is really good to reading to Lucy, she is a good listener and my reading gets better.”

Teresa Memetova, aged eight, added: “Reading to Lucy is good because it helps us with our reading.”

Joshua Cope, aged seven, said: “I look forward to seeing Lucy, it is a lot of fun reading to her.”

Bryan Councill, aged seven, added: “I really enjoy reading to Lucy.”

Children at Green Fold simply love Lucy.

Alicia Davies, aged 10, said: “She is gorgeous and I look forward to seeing her every week.”