LEARNING through play can make a big difference to a child's education - as Newport mum Rizia Khan discovered.

Mrs Khan's two-year-old son, Abbid, received a head start in learning numbers with a special course at Pillgwenlly Primary.

She hopes it means he will not grow up to become one of the many adults in Wales who struggle with basic maths.

Today the Basic Skills Agency launch Numbers Count, a campaign designed to tackle numeracy issues across Wales.

Research by the agency shows 18 per cent of Welsh adults, almost one in five, are not confident with maths, a quarter have trouble working out sums with decimal points, 36 per cent struggle with fractions and 31 per cent have difficulty working out percentages.

Numbers Count aims to encourage people to improve their numeracy skills and help their children.

Agency director Alan Wells said: "Poor skills in maths have a significant and sustained impact on adults' lives - on employability, earnings and the ability to manage everyday life."

Adverts will give details of how to get free information packs while a range of numeracy projects are being set up.

Mrs Khan, 25, of Pill, said: "A course like this gives your child a kick-start to help them learn."