Reading scheme funding is pulled

Funding for a popular reading project for Bristol school children is being pulled - in the National Year of Reading.

Read A Million Words (RMW) has run across 150 schools, benefiting some 40,000 primary and secondary school children, since it began in 2004.

The move is expected to save about £70,000 a year.

RMW project manager Melissa Thom said it had been a "resounding success" and encouraged thousands to read more.

It is understood the money saved will be put more directly into Bristol schools.

'Their money'

The city council said other reading projects were in place or planned.

A spokeswoman said the decision to axe the funding had been taken by the Bristol Schools Forum, an independent body made up of head teachers and governors which administers central government funds for its schools.

"It is up to the schools what they do with their money," she added.

Some members of the forum did, however, express concern at a meeting in March when the plans were approved.

No-one from the forum could be contacted.

Ms Thom added that she was now in discussion with other local authorities about running Read A Million Words as part of their National Year of Reading activities.

"It is regretful that council funding is now coming to an end for this unique literacy project. However, we continue to seek funding from other sources," she said.

The project was supported by the Basic Skills Agency and the National Literacy Trust, neither of whom could comment on Thursday.