THEY go to school all year and then along come the summer holidays -- and, according to folklore, they forget everything they've just been taught.

Just how do you keep your children interested in learning when they're not at school? A Blackburn woman may have the answer, courtesy of a cunning plan which she believes can beat the parental summertime blues and overcome weekend woes, too.

It's called 1st Class Maths and organiser Pauline Vaughan says it's the only independently-run maths club in East Lancashire.

She has been running the club right through the summer holidays at Centre Peace in Feilden Street, Blackburn. And as her pupils return to school she'll be offering after-school and weekend sums sessions there.

"Many children are shy and frightened of maths, but once they find we are not a formal class situation and they realise all the work is done individually, and not in a group, they are generally happy," she said.

If a parent decides to send their child to 1st Class Maths, how long will it be before they can expect to see an improvement in their performance?

Said Pauline: "Some will take longer than others, but experience tells us it is no use trying to 'rush and push' a child. All pupils are individuals."

Pauline employs qualified staff , teaching more than 100 pupils who normally visit class twice a week.

"We work in line with the National Curriculum," she explained. "But we also incorporate problem-solving exercises. And the instructor will often create new worksheets for a child."

Classes are held between 3.30pm and 6pm weekdays and from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays. And in Burnley there are classes between 3.30pm and 6pm each Tuesday.