PENSIONERS in local villages regularly go into their neighbourhood school to help children learn to read.

But it’s the other way round for children from Silsden Primary School and elderly residents of the nearby Raikes residential home.

Six key stage one pupils are visiting the home in Bradley Road to read to the residents every Thursday.

Lynne Forshaw, the home’s activities coordinator, said: “The children bring along their reading books and sit with individual residents and read to them, it is so uplifting to see the happiness and joy that the children and elderly show.

“On their last visit the children remembered the residents’ names and they began to read in confidence. They ended the morning singing and the residents joined in.

“The scheme was initially being set to run for one month, but because it is proving to be a huge success the scheme will continue to run weekly after the Christmas break.”