A REVOLUTIONARY new scheme to help children struggling with reading is coming to York.

The Electronic Library 250 Scheme is aimed at children going from primary school to secondary school whose reading is below the national average.

Children are able to read a story from a computer screen and press a help key if they are struggling with a word.

As well as allowing them to learn reading independently, it also takes away the stigma of having reading assistants in the classroom.

The programme will go into ten schools across the City, including All Saints, Canon Lee, Fulford, Huntington, Joseph Rowntrees, Lowfield, Manor, Millthorpe and Oaklands schools. It will be used for one term and then the results will be evaluated. Lynne Sefton, curriculum teacher for the City of York Council's inclusion service, said the council had decided to use the programme after being impressed by results in other local authorities.

She said: "A child who is struggling with a word can press a key - it is totally non-judgmental.

"If you are reading with an adult, no matter how good they are, there can be some judgement creeping in which is not always helpful if you are having difficulty reading.

"The children practice on a computer screen until they get as near to perfect as they want to be and then read it aloud to a volunteer."

The scheme is in desperate need of volunteers to help introduce it and maintain it within schools.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP), which puts volunteers into schools to help children with reading, is appealing for people to come forward.

They will be given full training and will receive expenses such as bus fares and petrol.

Ann Pulleyn, from RSVP, said: "There is no requirement to be computer literate - you merely need to be able to read and enjoy reading."

Anyone who would like to volunteer can phone George Wojciechowski or Ann Pulleyn on 01904 651732.

Updated: 09:55 Friday, July 25, 2003