COUNCILLORS have praised a project to improve reading skills.

The Bradford Literacy Hub was launched in October to improve the district's lower than average literacy levels, and is currently focused on Keighley Central, plus the Eccleshill and Toller wards in Bradford.

Imran Hafeez, Bradford Literacy Hub manager, spoke to Bradford Council’s children’s services scrutiny committee about the early days of the 10-year project.

He said that one goal, to train 35 volunteers by March 2015, had already been achieved despite the project being in its infancy.

Hub projects will include helping 100 families with children falling behind in their reading, literary events and festivals and involving local sports stars to act as reading role models.

Councillor Malcolm Sykes said it was vital that the momentum built up by the project continued even after funding had run dry.

He said: “This has started and it can’t finish. This has got to carry on, because this is definitely going to benefit the attainment of Bradford’s children. We just have to make sure this is properly funded; that is going to be the challenge for the next few years.”