MUMS and dads could be paid to help out in local classrooms if Bolton gets the go-ahead to set up an education action zone.

Education chiefs are hoping to put a large number of adults from the local community into schools to help teachers raise standards.

They say this would benefit children by giving them additional adult contact and also provide vital stepping stones for grown-ups who want to get back into full-time work.

The idea is one of several contained in a bid to set up an education action zone in Breightmet and Tonge which will go to the Government next month.

Another is to set up a bank of "mentors" to provide individual pupils with helpers who take an interest in their school work and assist them with their homework.

Education chiefs believe successful career people are too busy to go into schools but could spare enough time to become computer mentors, communicating with their young charges via E-mail.

If Bolton's bid is successful 16 primary schools and two secondary schools, the Withins and Thornleigh, will share an extra £3 million over three years to pay for a number of such projects.

But first the Government has to be convinced that Bolton has enough new ideas to bring about a real boost in standards in the proposed zone area.

And education chiefs have to persuade Bolton businesses to support the venture by pledging £250,000 worth of sponsorship, either cash or help in kind.

Bolton missed out on becoming one of the first 25 zones and deputy director of education Terry Piggott said: "Inspectors say there are many good schools in the area but they, and the families they serve, need more help for pupils to do really well."

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