A CRUSADE to create a dyslexia-friendly borough has taken another step forward.

The Wigan and District Dyslexia Association is offering a golden opportunity for all Leigh area head teachers to pick the brains of an expert on Monday.

They are invited to hear Neil MacKay, who turned his Harwarden High School into a flagship for dyslexic pupils, speak at Haigh Hall between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Leigh-based businesswoman Shirley Longley, who four years ago started a one woman campaign for dyslexia-friendly schools, and is now the association's project manager, said: "Obviously dyslexic children must have some specialist multi-sensory teaching and it is vital that all teachers and pupils have an awareness of the different needs and abilities of the dyslexic child.

"We urge parents to encourage heads to attend this talk and support teachers through the process of change."

Wigan Local Education Authority in partnership with the association have written Good Practice Guidelines for Dyslexia Friendly Schooling. These will be launched by John Cowen, deputy director of education, during Monday's talk.

Wigan and District Dyslexia Association set up a project in September 2000 to train 40 teachers from various schools across the borough as specialist multi-sensory teachers with the intention of kick starting the process of change to dyslexia friendly schooling.

These teachers are now able to test students of any age for dyslexia, give appropriate teaching and advise and train other mainstream teachers so that the benefits percolate throughout the schools and benefit all children.