AS a new school year begins a North-East children’s literacy charity has launched a ‘Back to School’ campaign to recruit 30 volunteers.

Beanstalk, which operates across Darlington and County Durham, is looking for new volunteers to provide much-needed reading support to children.

It is estimated that this year more than ten per cent of children have left primary school in the North-East without reaching the required level of reading and Beanstalk is calling on communities to help rewrite this story.

Janet Skeen, area manager for North-East & Yorkshire said: “Sadly, far too many children in local primary schools are struggling in school due to reading difficulties.

“The start of the school year is the perfect time to change this and for people to make a real, long-lasting difference to a child in their local community.”

With the support of the local community Beanstalk aims to help 90 children across Tees Valley, County Durham and Tyne & Wear by recruiting 30 Beanstalk reading helpers by the end of September

To find out more, or to become a Beanstalk reading helper, call Beanstalk on 01325-315040.