Ref. 14588MULTIPLICATION tables and long division are being being made simpler at a Japanese maths club in Warminster.

Kumon Educational, based at The Athenaeum Centre, is running after- school clubs for children of all ages, teaching different levels of maths to suit their abilities.

The Warminster class opened on Saturday and already has 22 students on the register. But the team behind the classes hope their approach to maths will attract 100 more by the end of the year.

Amanda Leworthy, instructor, said: "The idea originates in Japan and is the notion that by doing maths every day you will improve. Sometimes children can fall behind at school and not learn the basics which can damage their self confidence.

"All children benefit because they enter the plan at a point suitable for them, at their right level. We are not going to churn out lots and lots of maths geniuses but help them achieve the best they can and also build their self-confidence."

This approach to maths was created by a Japanese father in 1954, when he realised his son was finding maths difficult.

The class in Warminster now runs twice a week on Monday and Thursday after-noons and costs £41 per month.