THE Read Easy scheme in Bridport is already five years old and its volunteers have probably taught close to 100 people to read in that time.

So many of those having inspiring stories to tell - like John, who has graduated from struggling to read in school and work to reading Macbeth and counting Michael Palin and Terry Pratchett as his favourite authors.

Now the group of Bridport learner-readers and coaches have been treated to another inspiring story.

Sue Torr, from Devon, couldn't read until she was 38 years old.

She is now a prize-winning playwright and the author of her own book about her struggles with the written word..

Ms Torr, who was awarded an MBE for services to the community, was invited to describe her remarkable career to Read Easy Bridport, a voluntary group set up in 2011 to give free, one-to-one tuition to adults who struggle to read fluently. Kate Adie is patron.

Ms Torr told group members how, as a child, though good at sport, she had sat at the back of the class, hiding her inability to read.

Even when she married and had a family, she managed to to keep it a secret that she'd never been able to read.

Only when she became a dinner lady did she admit her secret, to a group of children who kept asking her to read stories to them. Their sympathetic reaction encouraged her to seek help from an adult education tutor.

Three years later she was writing a play about her experience,‘Shout it Out’ , which was performed all round the country and won a Sony radio award.

A book called “Secrets” followed - in two formats, one standard, the other simplified for learners like those with Read Easy.

After her talk and a screening of her film, Sue Torr signed copies of her book for some of those in the audience and presented certificates to others who had reached key stages of the Read Easy course or had just completed it.

Read Easy can be reached on 07849 620 113, 0844 472 2980, or vee@readeasy.org.uk