THE North-East expert who said oily fish capsules can boost learning is now urging kids to take up a martial art.

Dr Madelaine Portwood, the Durham psychologist who has shown that food supplements can improve learning, is convinced that tae kwon do could help children get more out of schoolwork.

It could be particularly beneficial to children with dyslexia or severe reading difficulties, she said.

After working with instructors and pupils at Spennymoor Tae kwon do Club, Dr Portwood has come to the conclusion that the Far Eastern discipline can increase self-esteem and have a beneficial effect in the classroom.

In her new book, Dyslexia and Physical Education, she argues that more schools should seriously consider setting up tae kwon do classes.

Part of her studies is based on observing Durham children who are failing to thrive at school.

Dr Portwood, who works for Durham County Council, the local education authority, said: "These children were very insecure, badly co-ordinated and had low self-esteem.

"Through tae kwon do, which seems to be the best possible physical education I have seen, their self-esteem has been boosted and this has also had a positive effect on their schoolwork."

The educational psychologist has already created a stir by proving that daily food supplements containing a mixture of pure fish oil and evening primrose oil can dramatically improve concentration and learning ability in the classroom.

Now, she is on a mission to spread the gospel of tae kwon do, a martial art that has steadily gained ground around the world since it originated in Korea in 1944.

Resembling karate, taekwondo has strong links with the North-East.

Dr Portwood described how one seven-year-old boy with dyslexia, who was doing badly at school, improved after doing tae kwon do.

She said: "He now has a blue belt and is determined to continue to black and beyond.

"He is thrilled every time he moves to the next grade.

"Tae kwon do teaches discipline and seems to help children settle down and learn."

Tae kwon do instructor Shaun Myers, who has recently qualified as a teacher, is proving the value of martial art instruction by taking classes at Ingleton Primary School, County Durham.

He said: "It definitely has a spin-off in the classroom.

"County Hall is asking whether I could make it available to other children, they are thinking about transporting children to Ingleton by bus."

* Dyslexia and Physical Education is published by David Fulton and costs £11.