SECRETARY of State for Education, Damian Hinds visited West Somerset on Friday (November 9) to hear from parents how they share and enjoy books with their children.

His visit was organised by CLOWNS and hosted by Minehead Eye, where Mr Hinds went on a ‘Wild Walk’ with young children to hear the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and meet some of the characters from the book.

The West Somerset Opportunity Area is funding a number of projects in which families can take part – including ‘Wild Walks’ sessions that combine appreciating the outdoors with honing their reading skills.

Paul Matcham, of Clowns said: “It was great to be able to clearly demonstrate to Damian the real barriers and restrictions an area such as ours holds and some of the fantastic work early years providers are delivering.

“Damian was genuinely impressed by how well organisations worked together and the passion they showed in achieving real opportunities for our families both now and for the future.”

The Wild Walks session were a “fabulous” idea and project, he said: “By using our biggest resource, the rural outdoors, it enables young children and families to improve their imagination and engagement, alongside their reading and phonic skills.

“Wild Walks improve young children’s ability towards achieving appropriate school age readiness in such a fun manner.”

Children’s communication charity I CAN has been working in partnership to mprove early language skills.

Speech and language adviser Liz Wood explained the principles of the approach and the impact it was having on the way parents support their child’s early language and communication skills.

In West Somerset,I CAN Early Talk Boost, which targets three to four-year-olds with delayed languageability, includes a workshop for parents encouraging them to share books with their children.