A BOOK club with a difference has started up at a secondary school.

The Boys-Beer and Books club at St John's School in Epping was set up to encourage boys to read, but they bring their fathers along to the sessions.

Teacher at the school Jo Turner said: "The club is for boys and they bring their dad in to read with them. They come in after school and chose books that they would like to read with their fathers. It's a way of encouraging them to read."

For the girls there is a sewing club, where year seven pupils invite their mothers to the school to help them with textile skills including fabric dyeing and using a sewing machine.

Ms Turner said: "The parents think it's great to be able to come into the school and work alongside their children, giving them some quality time together as well as learn new skills. Both clubs are going really well."