FIGURES have revealed that a quarter of Leigh adults have poor levels of literacy and numeracy.

A total of 26.4pc of Leigh adults have problems with reading and writing and 27.7pc with numbers.

A multi-million pound campaign to tackle adult illiteracy and innumeracy in Greater Manchester has been launched by the Prime Minister as part of a nationwide scheme to reduce the number of adults who have difficulties with these basic skills. Employees without basic numeracy, reading and writing skills can cost companies on average £165,000 every year from poor quality control, lost orders and bad communication.

Research has also suggested that people with poor basic skills are more likely to experience low-paid short-term jobs and unemployment, a fact which can force them and their families into a lifetime of poverty.