PROVIDING children with strong male role models – such as local sporting heroes – is one of several steps proposed to improve literacy in the district.

Earlier this year a campaign to make Bradford a 'literacy hub' was set up to improve the district’s lower than average literacy levels, and those behind it have ambitious plans to get more children reading over the next three years of the project, which is a partnership of the National Literacy Trust and Bradford Council.

Three main areas of focus for the campaign have been identified, including Keighley Central, where there are high levels of literacy problems.

It will see links forged with Bradford City Football Club, Bradford Bulls and Yorkshire Cricket Club, with players acting as ambassadors.

A hundred families of young children at risk of falling behind will be helped to improve the youngsters' reading levels before they begin school.

Imran Hafeez, Bradford literacy hub manager, said it was important that the 'champions' of the scheme came from within the communities, rather than a council officer telling people what to do.

He added: "The issue we have identified in some areas is that there aren't really male role models. In early years a lot of the teachers are women and sometimes fathers don't get as involved in school and reading. I don't know if it's because some families still have ideas about traditional roles and fathers being the bread winner.

"There is an impact on children's attention when male carers are involved in telling them stories or reading with them."