A PASSPORT to literacy has been given to children in Greenwich who are learning to read through their favourite newspaper, the News Shopper.

Starting today (Wednesday) hundreds of extra copies of the News Shopper will be delivered to more than 2,400 pupils from 14 primary schools for the start of the biggest-ever Reading Passport scheme.

Over five weeks pupils will be learning about the world around them and learning to read by scanning the News Shopper and completing tasks in their Reading Passports.

Pupils, from five to 12 years old, work through assignments in their passports. They look for people in the paper who have broken the law. They also create advertisements.

The first 20 pupils to complete their 18-page passports will each get a £10 WH Smith voucher and their names printed in the News Shopper.

The award-winning Reading Passports scheme, run by Greenwich Education Business Partnership and sponsored by the News Shopper, has been running since 1999.

Editor Andrew Parkes said: "This is a great way for children to learn about how a local newspaper works while improving their reading skills at the same time."

Greenwich Education, Business Partnership Manager Margaret Tomsett said: "This reading scheme helps to make reading fun for pupils. Last year my son took part and really enjoyed it. The assignments are interesting and challenge the pupils. I'm sure this year will be an even bigger success than it has been in the past."