BOLTON is leading the charge of the literacy brigade with the creation of a new trust to raise reading and writing standards.

The town will be one of the first in Britain to launch a pioneering body tying together a host of initiatives aimed at boosting English skills.

Studies have shown that one in three adults in Bolton borough - and one in four children - struggle with basic literacy.

But leading educational figures are confident the trust will help break down the barriers preventing young and old alike from learning.

Cllr Frank White, cabinet member for social inclusion, said: "Improving literacy is one of the biggest things we can do to help people.

"It will open up a lot of doors for people who have slipped through the educational net."

The council has released £30,000 to fund the establishment of the trust as a pilot project in 2001.

The money will be used to recruit a high-flyer to act as its co-ordinator, bringing together agencies encouraging literacy - from schools, colleges and the council to employers and voluntary organisations.

But council education chiefs say it should rapidly pay for itself. Being outside council control will mean the trust is eligible for scores of grants not available to the local authority.

Deputy director of education Terry Piggott said: "The money is intended to kick-start the trust. After one year we expect it will have proved itself."

Bolton will be one of the first wave of literacy trusts. Council officials have met members of the existing handful, including Birmingham which is seen as a prime example of how trusts should work.

Trusts elsewhere in the country have taken a novel approach to reading, with schemes encouraging youngsters to read on buses and even in supermarkets.

Large employers, such as Boots in Nottingham, have also encouraged workers to brush up their skills.

The Bolton version would set measurable targets such as:

Improved performance at school

Increased take up by adults of 'return to learn' courses

Extra funding attracted to the borough for literacy projects

Mr Piggott said: "We have got a very strong commitment to literacy development. It's the first priority in our education development plan.

"We know if you have difficulty with basic literacy skills you are really going to have problems getting a good job."

The co-ordinator's job will be advertised next month and it is hoped to have someone in post by the end of this year. Mr Piggott said: "We are looking for somebody with a lot of energy who can drive this forward."