Hampshire MP Damian Hinds is urging people to volunteer a few hours each week to read with schoolchildren.

Mr Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, recently attended a reading session at Wootey Infants School in Alton with year 1 and 2 pupils, organised by the charity Schoolreaders.

He said: "We cannot overestimate the benefits of reading to and with children.

"We know that reading is the gateway to learning, and with reading comes curiosity about the world around us and endless avenues to explore.

READ MORE: New outdoor area created at primary school thanks to housebuilder donation

Alison Bosence, a Schoolreader volunteer at Wootey Infants and Presley, age five (Image: Damian Hinds)"I'm asking people to consider giving a short time each week to become a school reader.

"Every single volunteer will make a huge difference to a child's life."

Schoolreaders, which has been running for 10 years, encourages adults of all ages to volunteer to read with a child at a local school every week.

Tracey Thomas, deputy headteacher at Wootey Infants School, said: "Our volunteers will either read with or to the children, depending on the child and their enthusiasm to read.

"By offering extra help, our volunteers assist in closing the gap between pupils who are falling behind their peers, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds."

To apply to become a school reader, visit the Schoolreaders website at schoolreaders.org.