A NEW charity has been set up in Winchester to help adults learn to read.

Read Easy Winchester launched with its first coach training day at the Discovery Centre in Jewry Street.

The city council and the Discovery Centre have generously supported the set up of the charity.

Cllr Stephen Godfrey, council leader, with councillors Jamie Scott and Janet Berry attended the launch and enjoyed tea and cake along with the founder of the charity, Ginny Williams-Ellis.

The charity aims to help tackle the problem that sees one in 20 adults having the reading age of a five-year-old.

Read Easy Winchester is a voluntary group which offers free one-to-one coaching to adults. The coaching is confidential at an approved venue.

Research by the charity shows the people benefit not just the reading skills but their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Anyone interested in volunteering or learning can contact coordinator Pat Stephens on 07731 886036 or by email at pat@readeasy.org.