YOUNGSTERS have been given a confidence boost by a poet, broadcaster, commentator and programme maker.

The children, from Wheatlands Primary School, in Redcar, have been learning to stand up confidently and read aloud to an audience with the help of Ian McMillan, who hosts and guest stars on radio shows for the BBC.

Mr McMillan, who is also the poet-in-residence at Barnsley Football Club, has explored language and communication with schoolchildren, students, teachers, politicians and corporate businesses in the past 12 months.

He has worked with the pupils at Wheatlands Primary School to produce poetry and illustrations which will be showcased inside a publication highlighting the project's creative achievements.

This week, the young people showed off their reading and performance skills in front of parents, teachers and fellow pupils.

The poetry workshops were initiated by Creative Partnerships Tees Valley, which is a part of a national government-funded education programme working to develop partnerships between schools, cultural organisations, businesses and individuals.

For more information about Creative Partnerships Tees Valley, call (01642) 515384, or visit www.creative-partnerships.com