THE magic of reading is being unlocked for youngsters at Okehampton Primary School, thanks to a popular literacy course.

Parents and their children (pictured) in Year 1 have been taking part in a five-week Family Learning literacy course, run in conjunction with the National Literacy Trust and WH Smith.

It has been run by Family Learning tutor Cindy Squire with group supporter Jilly Gilpin. Eleven parents have taken up the course with their children.

Research by the Literacy Trust has shown that parents or carers have the most influence over how much a child reads, and how much they enjoy reading.

Cindy said: 'The aim is to promote reading as a pleasure, and not just about the reading levels and their ability. It is about getting children wanting to read, not just for school but because they want to.'

Last Thursday, the group visited Okehampton Library to each pick out some books to read, and enjoy some fun story time.

This week, children will pick out more books on a visit to WH Smith in Tavistock, and each child will get to choose a book to keep permanently.