THE Secretary of State for Education, Damien Hinds, visited West Somerset on Friday (November 9) to check on the progress of the government's opportunity area scheme in the area.

West Somerset is one of 12 opportunity areas identified the government where funding is being used in order to try and improve social mobility.

During his visit the Secretary of State went on a 'Wild Walk' with young children to hear the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and meet some of the characters from the book.

The event was organised by CLOWNS and hosted by Minehead Eye as a wild storm was forecast.

Paul Matcham of Minehead Eye said “'It was great to be able to clearly demonstrate to Damien the real barriers and restrictions an area such as ours holds, alongside some of the fantastic work CLOWNS and other early years providers are delivering to overcome these."

"Mr Hinds was genuinely impressed in how well organisations worked together and the passion they showed in achieving real opportunities for our families both now and for the future," Mr Matcham said.

"He went on to highlight what a fabulous idea and project our 'Wild Walks' sessions had become, by using our biggest resource, the rural outdoors, to enable young children and families to improve their imagination and engagement, alongside their reading and phonic skills.

"Improving young children's ability towards achieving appropriate school age readiness in such a fun manner."

The West Somerset Opportunity Area funding is targeting four main priorities: That every child has a great start in life, excellence in eduction, transition to adulthood, and skills for employment and business.

So far a 'Talkboost For Early Years' scheme has been launched training early years professionals, and plans have been firmed up to deliver an expanded post-16 curriculum at West Somerset College among other things.

For more information about the programme and to see a detailed plan of the proposals visit westsomersetopporunityarea.co.uk