A NORTH-EAST prison is appealing for volunteers to take part in a national scheme to help people with their reading and writing skills.

HM Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, at Barnard Castle, County Durham, needs volunteers to take part in the Link Up project, which aims to train people in basic skills and pass their knowledge to people in their community.

Deerbolt is one of 20 places around the country which has been chosen to take part in the programme, and a total of 6,000 volunteers will be trained nationally to teach basic skills, such as reading and writing, to people in their community.

The scheme is being led by the Basic Skills Agency, and Deerbolt is offering free training places and practice placements for volunteers, who can achieve a level 2 City and Guilds qualification in basic skills support.

Maria Waddington, Link Up project manager at Deerbolt, said: "As a Link Up volunteer, you could support people in your community in a variety of ways.

"Some people provide information about where courses are taking place, while others are providing ongoing support in the classroom itself.

"However much or little time you have to offer, Link Up would like to hear from people."

Anyone interested in getting involved in the Link Up scheme can call Ms Waddington on (01833) 637561..