EDUCATION campaigner Shirley Longley was the force behind turning Wigan into a dyslexia-friendly borough.

And her solo campaign to bring specialist teaching to every school in the borough, which was launched less than two years ago, continues next month.

Businesswoman Shirley joined forces with the Wigan and District Dyslexia Association and, fighting together for funding, they managed to secure enough cash to train 42 teachers from 37 schools in the first year.

On June 23, the association is presenting a conference entitled "Dyselxic Child! The Answers?" at Haydock Park racecourse at 9.45am. Admission is free, but lunch is £10 per person.

And the latest specialist teaching course -- the third of its kind -- which enables staff to assess and teach children with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, starts in September.

Shirley said: "This conference is a unique opportunity for parents which will empower them to significantly improve their children's education."

Lord Peter Smith, leader of Wigan Council, will give the opening address and there will be five speakers.

Mike Johnson, a chartered psychologist from Manchester University, will give a talk entitled "Dyslexia -- What is it?".

He will be followed by Neil MacKay, an independent consultant and trainer, on "Dyslexia Freindly Schools, Benefits For All and Dyslexia Reasons to be Cheerful".

Dyslexia support advisor Judy Capener will speak on teacher commitment and training; Christine Hughes on "Early Identification and Multi-sensory Learning"; and John Cowen, Wigan's deputy director of education, will give a talk entitled "Wigan Borough Goes Dyslexia-Friendly".

Shirley joined the association when she thought her six-year-old son Tom was dyslexic, following in the footsteps of her father and herself.

She was told that he had to be seven before he could be assessed by the Local Education Authority's psychologist, and she was horrified.

The Dyslexia Association put her in touch with a psychologist who found Tom was dyslexic and dyspraxic with a high IQ.

She was encouraged to take Tom out of his Leigh school on two afternoons a week for lessons at the Dyslexia Institute, where his life was changed.

After attending a subsequent seminar, Shirley did an assessment of the situation in the borough and set about her successful campaign for multi-sensory teachers in every school.

She said: "The real heroes are the teachers. This is a very complex and intensive course which they are doing on top of their normal workload. Their dedication and commitment to the children and the positive energy and determination they exude is inspiring.

"I know why they do it. There's nothing quite like the moment when a child who has been consistently failing suddenly succeeds."

For more infomation on the conference, ring 01257 404505 or 01942 202255; e-mail WaDDA1111@aol.com or see the website at www.wigandda.50megs.com.