A SKILLS guru is on a mission to help thousands of workers in the region who have numeracy and literacy problems.

Valerie Stephenson has been appointed as a workplace basic skills advisor to the Learning and Skills Council in County Durham.

She will help to give workers the basic skills in reading, writing and maths as part of the Government's Skills for Life strategy.

Talks have already been held with a number of employers including Bison Bede, based in Consett, and Durham's LG Phillips.

Ms Stephenson said: "My role has enabled me to carry forward my knowledge and experience of basic skills issues affecting productivity, retention and recruitment in the workplace.

"More and more employers are now recognising the need to upskill their employees.

"In recent years employees' roles have changed considerably and with, for example, the introduction of technology into many aspects of daily life, many employees may now have to work with computers.

"We can provide support which develops confidence, improves self-esteem and motivates employees, and contributes towards improved productivity."