MATHS graduate and former Radio One journalist Rachel Lawson, from Ogbourne St George, has just set up a Marlborough Kumon study centre, using the world-famous Japanese system to teach children who may need a helping hand in their English studies.

Mrs Lawson, who has a young child of her own, said: "The demand for Kumon in the last six months has grown way beyond expectations, especially as the new English programme has been launched.

"I think parents are concerned because, over the past year, there has been a lot of publicity about the crisis in recruiting teachers. Parents seem to be adopting a more proactive approach to their children's education and want to give them a little extra help."

Kumon has run English classes for the past six years but has not given them as much publicity as its maths classes because of the controversial aspect of a Japanese system being used to teach children their own language.

Mrs Lawson is one of only a few Kumon tutors in the region to teach both subjects. To find out more about the Marlborough Kumon study centre, call Mrs Lawson on (01672) 841305. All new students who join before October 20 will qualify for free enrolment.