LEIGH'S over 50s are being invited to bridge the generation gap and become a mentor for schoolchildren.

Wigan Careers Service is appealing to older people to help influence youngsters with positive values, by joining the Generations in Action Programme, organised in conjunction with Wigan Borough Partnership.

Backed by the Home Office, the scheme is designed to support pupils with numeracy, literacy and life skills.

Each volunteer will spend a short time each week or fortnight with a child on a one-to-one basis.

Wigan is one of only five areas in the UK chosen to run the programme, and all mentors will receive appropriate training and support.

Dave Chisnall, mentoring co-ordinator at Wigan careers Service, said: "Nowadays, many children are deprived of the positive influence of an older person in a grandparenting type role.

"The programme provides an opportunity for older people to positively influence children by passing on positive values and skills.

"The benefits to the child are potentially incalculable, it is often the case that mentors benefit as much as the children they support."