Leyton Orient played host to a group of school children who successfully completed a ten-week Playing with Words course.

The youngsters, from Chapel End Junior School in Walthamstow, East London, were presented with their awards during a tour of Brisbane Road.

The club's Community team challenged the youngsters to read 100 books between them in a term.

Chapel End School received a countdown wall chart for pupils and teachers to keep a record of all the books that were read.

Jamie, 10, said: "I do read books sometimes but this made me want to read more.

"My favourite was a book called Kick Off, which was about a boy called Jamie who scored a penalty in the Cup Final."

Year 5 teacher Miss Tshang noticed a marked difference in the children's attitudes towards reading.

She said: "Our librarian got the school involved and the children really liked the way we could count down how many books we had left on the wall chart."

"A lot of the children don't read independently. But many of them picked up books after they were told they might be able to visit Leyton Orient."

Leyton Orient's Youth Development Manager Ross Embleton said: "Playing with Words was a really important project for young people to enhance their interest in reading.

"It's great for them to learn in a way which is different from the mainstream education"

Football League Trust Regional Manager Greg Baker said: "It's fantastic to see Leyton Orient continue their outstanding work in the local community.

"Reading is vital in the youngsters' educational development - and the prospect of being given awards at the local football club was clearly a huge incentive for all involved!"

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