A pilot project to encourage children to read and bridge the gap in literacy skills between primary and secondary schools has recruited 20 volunteers.

The Jump Start initiative, from the national reading charity Booktrust, aims to promote children’s enjoyment of books and encourage them to see reading as a pleasurable activity rather than a chore.

The summer holiday project in Bradford will see volunteers help children who have not reached their expected reading level in English by giving them free books and holding reading workshops.

A session to recruit ten more volunteers will be held at Bradford Volunteer Centre on Sunbridge Road tomorrow between 1pm-3pm.

Dave Forrest, director of the centre, said “Booktrust is a well-respected national charity. It is great they are piloting this brilliant reading scheme here in Bradford, where research has shown there are more volunteers here than anywhere else in Yorkshire.”