National push to boost reading

The £3.5m National Year of Reading officially began on New Year's Day and the next three months will be dedicated to developing plans and activities to take place throughout the year.

Every top-tier council in England will develop a local reading strategy to help co-ordinate existing work to improve literacy. Local co-ordinators are being appointed in each council and will be responsible for producing and implementing the strategy.

Honor Fletcher, the National Year of Reading's project director, said: "Our ambition is that this year marks a step change in our national commitment to reading and builds the basis for long-term improvements."

The campaign will start in April and run until December. Each month the campaign will have a different theme.

The Welsh Books Council will co-ordinate the year in Wales, but discussions on what will happen in Scotland and Northern Ireland are ongoing.

- www.yearofreading.org.uk.