A KIND-hearted school volunteer is helping pupils learn to read — at the age of 86.

Two afternoons a week, Audrey Downs travels from her home in Scobell Street, Tottington, to All Saints Primary School in Whitefield.

Mrs Downs helps youngsters boost their reading and writing skills, and has been assisting at the school for eight years after reading an advertisement for the charity Volunteer Reading Help in the Bury Times.

She urged other retired people looking for a new hobby to give it a go.

“Seeing the children come on with their reading gives you a feeling that money can’t buy,” said Mrs Downs.

“I don’t understand how anyone can have the audacity to stay at home and complain that they are bored when there is a fantastic opportunity to help children.”

All Saints Primary headteacher, Gail Branch, said: “We are delighted to have Audrey helping out at the school.

“The pupils really enjoy it and benefit from her help.”

Emma Mitson, volunteer services manager, said: “She is such a delightful woman to work with. The children get loads from her and she epitomises a fantastic volunteer.”

Originally from Stretford, Mrs Downs moved to Prestwich as a girl when her first home was bombed in the Second World War.

She worked as a clerical officer at Sunnybank Clinic in Unsworth for 12 years until her retirement in 1988.

Mrs Downs said: “Listening to a child read alone seems to help them concentrate.

“There was one boy who had difficult having conversations and, within a few months of reading, we had him chatting away.

“Helping out keeps me busy and it is fun to be around the teachers and the children.

“I always get the help that I need from Volunteer Reading Help and they organise coffee mornings where all the volunteers can get together. It’s a really worthwhile thing to do.”

Mrs Mitson added: “We have got more than 15 schools waiting for volunteers locally, each with children in need of extra reading.

“We would love to hear from new volunteers to go into a school for two 90-minute visits a week, with a minimum 12-month commitment.”

To find out more: visit vrh.org.uk or call 01204 532 421.