AN appeal issued last year by Tavistock College for volunteers to join a reading programme at the school has this week been declared a huge success by principal Helen Salmon.

Through the Times, the college had asked for volunteers from the community to give up a few hours to help students in the younger years with their reading skills.

Mrs Salmon said: 'We had a marvellous response, absolutely fantastic — we now have a core group of more than 25 who are coming in on a regular basis and it's making a real difference.

'They had some special training through Marjon and they read with individual students every week. We've created an area in the library where they can go, and I think they really enjoy it.'

Mrs Salmon said the project is being evaluated by Marjon but anecdotal evidence so far has proved the work carried out by the volunteers, who have to have CRB clearance before they can come into the school, is having a 'very positive' effect.

'They have been brilliant, and they are all such skilled people — I would like to say a huge thank-you to them,' said Mrs Salmon.