Blind Liam Midwood is boosting his IQ by editing books for other youngsters with little or no sight.

The 11-year-old has been awarded the task of children's editor by a national charity.

He was diagnosed with an eye disorder at seven months and has now lost all his sight.

So far Liam, of Shipley, has edited books on the Victorians, dinosaurs, orchestras and outer-space and he is working on one about the Ancient Greeks.

Living Paintings charity asked Liam for his help after be became a borrower of its special books. It was his grandmother who told him about the charity after hearing about it during a Mother's Union meeting, said Liam's mother Liz Little. The charity produces books which have pictures and braille sheets in them but also pages which have thermoform images in them.

The thermoforms are detailed shapes which are moulded from individual wood carvings.

Mrs Little said: "The books helped him keep up his reading. He's a big fan of books and reads night and day." Liam said: "I like being an editor. They send me the packs and I make sure they are spot-on.

"If there's not enough information or if the tapes with them aren't as helpful as they should be, I tell them and then they are easier for other children to follow."

Mrs Little said: "Having this responsibility has really boosted his confidence and given him self-esteem." Living Paintings director Camilla Oldland said Liam was one of a team of eight.

She said: "For us its excellent because a child who is blind or partially sighted is far better at editing than we would be."

To contact the charity log onto www.livingpaintings.org or call 01635 299771.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths@bradford.newsquest.co.uk