A CHILDREN'S literacy charity has issued a plea for volunteer reading helpers across Keighley.

Beanstalk launched the recruitment drive as it highlighted that low levels of literacy among primary school children continued to be a problem, both locally and nationally.

It says that according to most recent SATS results, more than 2,500 primary school leavers in Bradford district did not achieve the expected level in reading.

The reading helpers work with children on a one-to-one basis.

They provide support for the pupils to improve their reading levels and gain literacy skills, while also increasing their overall confidence.

Full training is given.

In the last school year, the charity helped more than 11,000 children, in over 1,400 schools.

The aim is to support 30,000 pupils a year by 2020-21.

Janet Skeen, Beanstalk's Yorkshire area manager, said: "The start of a new academic year is a critical time for us to ensure there is enough support available for schools that have identified children who need extra help and encouragement with their reading.

"Without intervention, the outlook for children struggling with reading is concerning. It can lead to behavioural problems and can affect their future prospects in life and work.

"We need to recruit over 180 reading helpers in this region by the end of the academic year to ensure that we help more school children achieve the skills, confidence and imagination to reach their true potential.

"Our volunteers transform the lives of the children they support

"Volunteering with us is also a lot of fun and really rewarding – 86 per cent of our reading helpers say it makes them feel mentally and physically active!"

For more details, visit beanstalkcharity.org.uk or call 0845 450 0307.