POOR literacy skills early on in a child's life can have a devastating impact in adulthood.

According to literacy charity Beanstalk, more than half the prisoners in British jails have reading skills at or below those of an 11-year-old.

Literacy forms a vital part of life, not just in terms of being able to read properly, but in communication, confidence and self expression, not to mention education and employment prospects.

With as many as one in six children in Bradford leaving primary school unable to read to the required standard, poor literacy is a significant issue in the district.

This week a scheme giving a free book a month to children from birth to the age of five registered its 500th infant on the estate where it started. Canterbury Imagine started on Bradford's Canterbury estate in 2012, inspired by a scheme set up by Dolly Parton in America. The country singer started providing books to children in Sevier County, Tennessee, to improve educational attainment and opportunities in the community she grew up in. Called Imagination Library, it came to Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in 2007 then Bradford became the second British city to set up a branch.

Last year the scheme, which distributes hundreds of books a month, expanded to Manningham. Youngsters receive a free book through the post until their fifth birthday, enabling them to build their own library of books at home. The aim is to foster a love of books among children, and to encourage parents to read to them.

Bev George, executive head at Canterbury nursery and children's centre, which registers babies onto the scheme, said: "Giving them resources they need to sit down on a regular basis to share books helps children to have that love of books and reading, and those early communication skills that we need for children to be able to access the learning once they come into school."

Next month there will be a range of fun family activities in Bradford city centre encouraging parents and children to read. The first Bradford Literature Festival is aimed at boosting literacy levels among children and adults, and includes a free programme of events for schools. Other family events include a "create your own comic" masterclass; Bradford writer Nick Toczek's Million-Miles-An-Hour show; Sensory Storytime sessions with storyteller Vanessa Woolf, creator of much-loved picture book Guess How Much I Love You; a doll-making workshop inspired by children's book series Wild Thing; and a workshop on "making a 3D Charlie and Lola". Lauren Child, writer of the popular books, is a festival guest.

The Telegraph & Argus has got involved by running a book review competition for young readers, which has attracted hundreds of entries.

Festival co-organiser Syima Aslam hopes taking literacy out of the classroom, and making it fun, will inspired children to love books.

"Literacy is a vital part of the Curriculum but it's also a vital part of life and shouldn't be limited to school," she said. "We want to engage people with the festival and come into the city centre. We hope a legacy of this festival will be that parents and children develop and continue a lifelong love of reading."

Beanstalk helps children who struggle with reading by recruiting volunteer reading helpers to work in schools. Volunteers read with three children for one-to-one sessions over a school year. The charity, which supports 25 primary schools in the district, is seeking more volunteers and last week held a recruitment drive at Bradford Deaf Centre and ACW Garden Centre.

Helen Wright, area relationships executive from Beanstalk, welcomed Bradford Literature Festival's aim to boost literacy levels. "As a national charity dedicated to helping children read, grow and succeed, we welcome opportunities to work with others who promote a love of reading, and we offer our best wishes to the festival organisers. Getting families to read to and with their children is one of the best ways we know to plant reading seeds that will last a lifetime," she said.

"We believe passionately that reading enables children to grow and succeed. Our vision is that all children and young people will have the essential skills they need to grow up and lead successful lives.

"We are keen to attract volunteers in Bradford, where we have a number of schools in need of reading helpers. Volunteers don't need to have prior experience, simply a love of reading and the time and commitment to work with three children, for half an hour each, twice a week for a year."

* For more about Beanstalk visit beanstalkcharity.org.uk

* Bradford Literature Festival runs from May 15 - 24. Ring (01274) 238283 or visit bradfordliteraturefestival.co.uk