Exmouth opticians are seeking public support to boost children's literacy skills by taking part in an annual race.

High street opticians Specsavers is the headline sponsor of the Schoolreaders Race for Reading, designed to raise awareness and funding for reading programmes in schools.

Schoolreaders, a charity focused on enhancing literacy in children, organises the race which lasts 80 days and packs in countless activities for participants.

Ria Heskins, director at Specsavers Exmouth, said: "We are delighted to partner with Schoolreaders for the Race for Reading event and would urge as many people to sign up for this as possible."

Currently, one in four children leave primary school without achieving the expected reading standard, the charity states.

The event is free to participate in and with every £40 collected, a child gets a year of one-to-one reading support in school.

There are 311 Schoolreaders volunteers, who help children to read across the South West.

Jane Whitbread, founder and CEO of Schoolreaders, said: "Schoolreaders is thrilled to welcome Specsavers as the headline sponsor for our Race for Reading event."

Those who wish to join the race can do so on the campaign's website.