A CAMPAIGN backed by the Oxford Mail has been hailed a success after this year's Key Stage 1 results showed dramatic improvements.

The Oxfordshire Reading Campaign was launched a year ago to boost reading levels in seven year olds and to foster a love of reading.

The target was ultimately to get 86 per cent of children reaching a Level 2b or above – which is higher than national expectations – by 2014, with 80 per cent of Oxfordshire youngsters expected to reach that goal in 2013.

But one year in, the campaign has already exceeded targets, with 81 per cent of children achieving the benchmark level.

That is a three percentage point increase on last year, when just under 78 per cent made the grade, and seven percentage points above 2011 when the campaign was first planned.