VOLUNTEERS are needed to help Bolton teachers improve children's reading skills in the New Year.

A charity which provides nearly half of Bolton primary schools with extra help needs more people to come forward for courses next term.

Volunteer Reading Help recruits and trains people to work with children who teachers feel could benefit from some extra individual attention.

Nearly 70 volunteers currently go into 45 primary schools and each help three children on a one to one basis for an hour per week.

But the charity say they now need extra volunteers to help instill a love of books into children and organiser Rachael Sawbridge says the work is "very rewarding".

She said: "The children we help are often lacking in confidence and motivation and getting that bit of extra individual time gives them a real boost."

Volunteers can be aged from 18 to 80 and a love of books and an interest in children is more important than any formal qualifications .

Travelling expenses are paid and anyone interested in the scheme can find out more by telephoning the charity on Bolton 373688.

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