Elson Junior School in Gosport is appealing for adults in the community to spend some one-to-one time with pupils to develop their literacy skills.

Volunteer readers can give as much or as little time as they want but an hour a week would be the most beneficial.

Adults need only to listen to the children reading and offer help with words and punctuation and training is provided.

The school is particularly appealing to local businesses to help out.

The appeal is being backed by The News as part of our Spread the Word campaign, a year-long drive to encourage more children to read and to make books an integral part of their lives.

The school's chair of governors Carole Gratton said: 'We, at Elson understand the amount of time volunteers can give will vary but any contribution would be much appreciated. Of course, in an ideal world a regular weekly slot of an hour would provide the greatest benefit.

'Volunteers are not expected to take the place of a teacher but are there to give one-to-one encouragement to children, helping them to relax, gain confidence and enjoy their reading.

'I am sure we are not the only school struggling to recruit volunteers and I would like to see local businesses striking up partnerships with local schools and allowing their employees to work in the community in this way to benefit our children.'

Michelle Rourke, 29, is one of a handful of adults who acts as a volunteer reader at the school.

The mum-of-two of Blenheim Gardens, Gosport, spends four mornings a week helping children progress with their reading. She said: 'I would recommend anyone to do it because it's so rewarding.

'I can understand some people think they're not good enough to help or are worried how the kids would react.

'I felt the same way. But the longer you spend with the children the easier it gets.

'You build up a rapport with them and it's a nice feeling when you see a lot of hands in the air when they're asked who would like to read with Mrs Rourke.'

>> To become a volunteer reader call the school on (023) 9258 3754.