A WRITING expert has been appointed to one of Glasgow's housing schemes in an attempt to raise the literacy levels of its residents.

Members of Greater Easterhouse Initiative hope the new writer-in-residence will help to improve the writing skills of adults and children and encourage reading at home.

Award-winning author and playwright Mr Chris Dolan yesterday filled the post.

Speaking from his Partick home, Mr Dolan said: ``Obviously I am delighted to be part of this literacy project because I believe being able to read and write and use our imagination is one of the greatest skills of all to have.

``Easterhouse has all the normal problems that peripheral housing schemes have and I think there is perhaps a problem with younger people who don't have access to reading materials at home.

``I will be going round schools on a weekly basis and helping children use their imagination and hopefully try to promote their work in places other than Easterhouse.''

Based in Easterhouse Library, Mr Dolan, who last year won the Macallan/Scotland on Sunday Short Story Competition, will work with schools and help community groups and individuals.

The project forms part of the Regeneration Strategy Goal of improving educa-tional accomplishment in the area.

Mr Kevin Sweeney, principal teacher of English at St Leonard's secondary school, said pupils had welcomed the project.

``It is very important that children understand the importance of literacy and how vital it is to be able to read and write by enhancing their literary skills.''