More than 100 pupils are being given a hand with their reading thanks to employees at a Stoke Gifford firm.

The children at St Nicholas of Tolentino school, in Easton, and St Michael's Primary School, in Stoke Gifford, will be able to read aloud to staff at AXA once a week for two hours, helping them to develop their reading skills throughout the year.

At St Michael's each class will have at least one volunteer, giving around 100 children extra support with reading.

AXA volunteer Samantha Ruston, who has been part of the scheme for the past school year, said: "The children I have been reading with have been open to ideas and progressed really well. It has given me a great sense of pride to know that I have had a helping hand in that."

A Year 4 pupil at St Michael's said: "I have enjoyed reading with an AXA person because they can help me and the lady is really nice and always understands me."

As well as supporting local schools, AXA employees are given the opportunity to become school governors.

Staff give up three hours a month to join governors in helping to set the school's aims and values and promote high standards of education.