EDUCATION minister Ed Balls has backed a major new campaign to drive up reading standards in North East Lincolnshire.

Today sees the launch of As Easy As ABC and has been created to address a vital issue in our area – not just for our children, but for you too.

Up to a third of the adult population in some of our more deprived wards have inadequate literacy levels, and some children are struggling to achieve what are considered to be basic standards.

Not only that...

Ten per cent of adults in North East Lincolnshire have NO qualifications.

Primary-age youngsters in this area are below the national average for reading and writing, although this figure has improved in recent years.

This year, about 1,080 primary school children are receiving one-to-one additional learning support.

One in six people in the UK struggle to read and write.

There is already a lot of help out there – and this campaign is aimed at developing the one skill that would simply transform the way some people live their lives.

And the campaign – being driven by the Grimsby Telegraph and a team of major sponsors – has received backing from the very top.

Mr Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, has sent a personal message to residents about why reading – and being able to read well – is so important.

He said: "The Grimsby Telegraph's campaign is great way to give more children, young people and adults the opportunity to get hooked on reading.

"Some children don't have the same access to books as others, so this partnership with local companies, colleges, groups and libraries, is a significant step forward.

"I'd encourage children, young people, parents and adults to get involved and enjoy the fun and benefits reading can offer."

We have joined forces with prominent local sponsors to bring a series of initiatives to the area as part of As Easy As ABC, all designed to help you improve your quality of life.

A variety of projects, including reading sessions for adults, free book offers, a primary and secondary schools spelling contest and a Talking Telegraph, will run over the coming weeks and months.

A 'living book' will be created, where residents will write passages and continually change the story.

Schoolchildren will take over pages of the Grimsby Telegraph, becoming journalists and photographers to give them a greater understanding of how powerful words are.

Coupled with expert advice, helplines and features on the many different ways into reading in this area, the initiative is wide-reaching.

Every single person in North East Lincolnshire of all abilities – whether they are primary-age children and teenagers, full-time parents or pensioners – is invited to get involved.

As Easy As ABC is all about making a change for the better... are you ready to take up the challenge?

See your Grimsby Telegraph today for messages from the main sponsors and more on what is to come.