A SCHEME to improve north-west Durham's poor record in reading, writing and arithmetic will review its progress next month.

The number of adults in County Durham who do not have the basic skills to participate fully in everyday life is among the highest in the country, at 27.3 per cent for literacy and 28.9 per cent for numeracy. The national average is 24 per cent for both.

Derwentside is even further behind, with 27.4 per cent of adults needing help with literacy and 29.4 per cent in need of help with numbers.

The Return to Learn Centre, based in Front Street, Stanley, offers a range of courses across Derwentside, including several aimed at improving the basic skills of reading, writing and maths.

It also runs a weekly special needs group to teach the skills needed for everyday life and offers courses in communication skills and dyslexia support.

Recent successes include the teaching assistant course, where students achieved a 100 per cent examination pass rate.

The group holds its annual meeting in the centre on Monday, June 16, at 10am. For details, contact Carol Maddison on (01207) 230521.