A NEW community group has been launched to help educate youngsters taught at home.

Hereford Home Educators have launched a variety of courses at the Kindle Centre, Hereford, on a Wednesday afternoon.

Home educated children can access a variety of courses including science, history, maths and English. Courses are also available at the Hopelands Centre in Leominster.

"Although there is an increasing awareness that school is not compulsory, many people still don’t realise this. In fact, it is estimated that some 90,000 children are currently being home educated in the UK," said Jane Gutteridge, of the group.

"With most people nowadays having internet access parents are able to make contact with others who are home educating locally. There are groups all over the country now where home educating families can hook up with each other to learn and socialise together.

"Here in Herefordshire there is a growing number of children being home educated. "

Email jane_gutteridge@yahoo.co.uk for more information.