A YEAR ago dyslexia sufferer Laura Gannon barely had the courage to leave her home.

But thanks to a course, the mother-of-two is now helping drive a campaign to set up a learning support centre in Peterlee.

Ms Gannon, who lives with her family in Peterlee, attended a course at Learn East to help her cope with her dyslexia.

She has now become a fundraiser, campaigner and active member of her local residents' group.

She also recently took part in the Great North Walk to raise funds for dyslexia support and is helping with a campaign being run by the Eden Hill and Chapel Hill North Residents' Association for a learning support centre.

Ms Gannon said: "The changes in me have been unbelievable.

"A year ago, I was very shy and retiring, my self-esteem was so low that even a trip to the local shop felt like a challenge."

"Now I have difficulty keeping quiet and my confidence levels have soared, but I still have a long way to go."

Ms Gannon and other members of the residents' group are liaising with Easington District Council to transform a building into a community centre with facilities for literacy, numeracy and IT learning and dyslexia support.

She said: "Dyslexia has caused me a lot of tears in the past but now I have received help, my life has turned around.

"I want to give back to the community what I have received and encourage those in my local area to aim higher.

"I want to help others in a similar situation to me and show them that a little learning can go a long way."