PRIMARY school children in York who face difficulty with their reading are being helped by a team of mature volunteers.

The Right To Read scheme is run by the Retired Senior Volunteers' Programme and places volunteers into schools to listen to children read.

Laura Temple started volunteering after her children left home and now goes into Ralph Butterfield Primary School, Haxby, once a week.

She said: "I thoroughly enjoy coming in to see the children - they are really good fun."

Head teacher of the school, Richard Ludlow, said: "By having volunteers coming into school it enables us to give the children who need more than others the opportunity to practise and interact with an adult.

"It is a valuable resource having volunteers in school and certainly the children do benefit."

The scheme is desperately short of helpers with 28 schools in the city needing volunteers.

Anyone who would like to find out more information about the scheme should contact Ann Pulleyn on 01904 651732

Updated: 08:48 Wednesday, March 12, 2003