Rufus KitchenerThe 10-year-old bookworm who vowed to read War and Peace to raise money for a charity that helped his sister is just over halfway through the Russian epic.

Rufus Kitchener, pictured right, who began reading Tolstoy's 1,205-page novel on July 23, has already ploughed through 610 pages.

The Southfields Primary pupil from Highworth hopes to finish it by the end of the school holidays.

All the sponsorship money he raises will go to Swindon charity Cancer and Leukaemia Movement (CALM), which helped his sister, Seren, recover from leukaemia three years ago.

Seren is now a happy and healthy five-year-old, and Rufus has been planning a way to thank the charity for some time.

The book fanatic, who has been reading the doorstopper at a rate of about 10 pages per day, said it was hard work.

"It's going well but it tires me out," he said. "Compared with Harry Potter it's quite boring, but compared with many other books I've read it's quite good, and I understand most of it."

Before he started War and Peace, Rufus admitted he had heard the book was not the most gripping. But he said he loved reading and wanted a challenge.

Tolstoy's novel is a epic centred on the French leader Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Russia in 1812.

Rufus has already renewed War and Peace twice from Highworth library, which is supporting his challenge with advertising and repeated loans.

Rufus's mum, Mary, 31, who had tried unsuccessfully to talk her son out of attempting Tolstoy's famously complex work, said he had raised £150 in sponsorship and was hoping to reach £500.

"He's been reading when he goes to bed and any other chance he gets," she said. "But he still plays with his Playstation and goes out and about to give himself a break."

To sponsor Rufus, call Mrs Kitchener on 01793 762884 or send a donation marked Reading Sponsorship direct to the charity to CALM, PO Box 1191, Marlborough SN8 1WG.

Andy Tate