HAVING trouble helping your children with their maths homework? If so, you are not alone.

For it has been revealed that a quarter of us have trouble working out basic percentages, even if we have received the correct change in shops.

The Learning and Skills Council, which has regional headquarters in Preston, is launching a New Year campaign of free courses encouraging people to improve their maths. It found that up to 11 million people in England have trouble with practical sums, like working out percentage discounts and calculating correct change -- all of which could lead to problems in the hectic work of the January sales, for instance.

If you are one of that 11 million who has trouble helping their offspring with their sums there are free courses available across East Lancashire to help you improve your skills.

Taking part could make you a better sales bargain hunter, but it could also lead to a better job.

Adult Skills Minister John Healey said: "January is a great time to pick up a few bargains, but if you're not confident with working out percentages or checking your change you could end up with far less of a bargain than you thought."

Phone 0800 150 650 for a free video pack and advice.