A PROJECT to help struggling young readers get ahead got a big tick from pupils and parents when Prince Edward visited.

Oxford-based charity Reading Quest is one of the organisations supported by Oxfordshire Community Foundation, receiving a grant of £1,250 to buy jigsaws and word games.

As part of his visit to Oxford, Prince Edward went to East Oxford Primary School in Union Street to meet families who have benefited from extra tuition provided by Reading Quest staff.

The charity gives youngsters who are falling behind extra reading sessions to help them catch up.

The Prince met mother-of-five Barjis Alam, 48, from Leon Close, East Oxford, and her daughter Zulhaika Khan, seven, who is a pupil at the school, pictured above.

Miss Alam said: “The Reading Quest sessions have really helped Zulhaika.

“She now reads more at home and is more confident reading, speaking and writing.”

Zulhaika added: “I like Reading Quest because we get to read lots of new books and sometimes we get to play games.”

Reading Quest director Jayne Lacny said financial support from OCF was vital.

She added: “We work with seven primary schools in East Oxford and get just over £50,000 a year from lottery funds.

“But we would like to expand and we are thrilled that the Prince has come to see the work we do.”