Many congratulations to the volunteers who have helped the Bradford literacy project Reading Matters for Life to do so much already to help the district's youngsters.

It is tremendously encouraging to learn, from the project co-ordinator at Hanson School, that many of the children have improved by more than a year in their reading tests in just ten weeks. It has boosted their confidence in lessons so that their performance is improving across the full range of their subjects.

This is an important project for Bradford, which is why the T&A is proud to be sponsoring it. This city has a disappointing recent record in education. Too many of the children on whom the future of the place depends have not been getting the chance to develop their full potential, partly because of poor levels of literacy.

Massive measures have been taken to improve things, including the reorganisation of the schools system back to two tiers and the Council going into partnership with a private company in a bid to raise the general level of education.

Yet here is a relatively small measure which is having a big impact, thanks to the efforts of individuals who are prepared to volunteer their time and patience.

Reading Matters for Life finds itself in an unusual position. Most charities need extra volunteers to meet demand. This one has the volunteers. What it needs now is more schools to come forward and take advantage of the help they can offer.

Given its success so far, they should be rushing to join a scheme which can give such an important boost to their pupils' chances.