PUPILS at a primary school are reading to a dog once a week.

Six-year-old border terrier Finn is registered with Pets as Therapy (PAT) and one of his roles is to help children at Callington Primary School develop their self-confidence through the charity's Read 2 Dogs scheme.

His owner, Wendy Johnson, said: 'Research shows that children can be nervous and stressed when reading to others in a group. However, when a PAT dog joins the group the children become less stressed, less self-conscious and more confident, as the dogs are non-judgemental.'

The scheme really does help to improve children's literacy, said Wendy, adding: 'Before long, the children are starting to look forward to the experience and enjoy reading to their new friend. Finn loves listening to the children read.'