TEN Bishop Auckland mothers have helped improve their children's reading and writing by going back to the classroom themselves.

Mothers Jacqueline Anderson, Martha Collishaw, Tracey Douthwaite, Sharon Farmer, Donna Fazakerley, Marie Jayne, Joanne McKimm, Gillian Sanderson, Claire Smith and Catherine Vickers have children in the reception class at Woodhouse Close Infant School where they joined in a ten-week intensive literacy programme last term.

Yesterday, they learned that they have been awarded a City and Guilds Adult Literacy Certificate on top of the Highly Commended award they won during Adult Learners' Week last week.

They have already moved on to an ICT course, which is also run by Durham County Council's community education department based at the LEAP Adult Education Centre, in Barnard Castle.

Reception class teacher Valerie Hindmarch said the children had been given a huge boost by their mothers' efforts.

She said: "We tested the children before and after the course and there was a remarkable improvement.

"For the first time the mothers were aware of the terminology we use in the classroom and could help the children at home. We also felt it raised their self esteem. A lot were either young parents or had left school without qualifications - which they now have.

"We joined the library and involved them in fun-based activities. They made up stories and made props at home. It really was a huge commitment to meet three times a week for ten weeks."

The school hopes to repeat the course with a new group of parents next year. LEAP offers programmes on literacy, numeracy, ICT, healthy eating and outdoor activities to adults and children from pre-nursery to comprehensive age. Contact the centre at 12e Galgate, Barnard Castle, telephone (01833) 690281.