When children fall behind with their reading, it is not just their interest in books that suffers.

Nick Butler helps a primary school pupil with his reading

Literacy problems can affect pupils' ability to follow lessons, complete exercises and ultimately damage their confidence and self-esteem.

Worse still, if their needs are ignored, these children are more likely to fail at school, and play truant -- which often leads them into crime and drug abuse.

For 17 years, one group of volunteers has been working to make sure things do not go that far, by giving Oxfordshire primary school pupils the help they need at an early stage.

The charity Reading Help supplies volunteers to 125 Oxfordshire schools, where they provide dedicated one-to-one help to 650 pupils struggling with reading.

"These children are being left behind," said Mary Wakefield, development manager of the charity's Oxford branch. "A lot of children don't have one-to-one help and may not have support at home. They do not have special needs, but are lacking in confidence and are losing self-esteem.

"If they can't read they can't access the National Curriculum, and if we don't catch them early, they could be the ones playing truant and getting into trouble."

Reading Help was launched in London 23 years ago.

It has since grown in popularity and now has volunteers all over the country.

In Oxfordshire, 230 volunteers work in half of the county's primary schools, working with the same child week after week.

Volunteers join the charity for various reasons, but almost all share two main characteristics -- a passion for reading and a desire to improve children's chances in life.

Ms Wakefield said: "It appeals to anyone who likes reading, loves books or enjoys working with children.

"Our volunteers are people who like to see children do better.

"It's very satisfying as they can see a child who maybe didn't want to read actually improve.

"One of our volunteers says that when she finishes in the school, she cycles home singing."

Despite its vital role, the charity is not funded by the Government or the county council, and depends on people willing to give up their time for free.

It is keen to recruit more volunteers to allow it to support more children.

Ms Wakefield said: "A lot of schools like to have us there, as teachers don't have the time for one-to-one help.

"The Government is demanding more and more of teachers and learning support assistants, and new initiatives are taking up more of their time. They're pleased to have the support."

"We have volunteers in 50 per cent of primary schools, but we now need to reach the others."

She added: "We want children to realise that reading is not a chore, but is actually fun.

"We want to encourage them to enjoy it more and show them how much fun books can be."

Volunteers receive three two-hour training sessions before being allocated to a primary school in their area.

For information about the work of Reading Help in Oxfordshire, call 01865 744284.