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A GRAN who began reading only four years ago got the chance to be on TV and meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown after being selected as the face of a national literacy scheme.

Christine Simpson, of King's Head Close, Castlefields, Runcorn, headed to London on in March to appear on GMTV to highlight the importance of Quick Reads scheme.

She said: "It was fantastic. I was really excited and a bit apprehensive at first, but it was great.

"We were treated very well. I was really nervous at first, but we ran through it a few times so I got the hang of it after a while."

The 53-year-old also visited Downing Street for a press conference with Mr Brown to promote the programme.

"He was really nice and made me feel at ease very quickly," she said.

Christine decided to go back to books in 2004 so she read stories to her then nine-year-old granddaughter, Rowen.

"It was awful," she said. "She would ask me to read stories to her and I would have to make up excuses.

"I had never been any good at reading before. I thought it was about time to learn.

"I've now read 34 books and love reading. I just wish I had done it years ago."

Quick Reads gradually re-introduces adults to reading through activities including simple-to-read books and workshops.

Christine said: "It is such an important scheme. It gives people who probably would never have had another chance to learn to read to have the confidence to improve their abilities."

For more information contact David Lambert on 0151 471 7486.

steve.kelly@worldgroup.co.uk

7:58am Friday 9th May 2008

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