The rise of the internet and a lack of encouragement at home have led to an increasing number of children turning away from reading.

A study by publisher Pearson found more than 40 per cent of teachers have noticed by the age of 11 many youngsters do not read for pleasure, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Short attention spans are thought to be partly to blame, with 75 per cent of teachers claiming concentration levels are at an all-time low.

Instead of reading, children prefer to access the internet, as picking up a book is not seen as "cool" by pupils.

Author Frank Cottrell Boyce described the findings as "worrying", adding: "According to Unesco, the biggest single indicator of whether a child is going to thrive at school and in work is whether or not they read for pleasure."

The research comes after a recent survey by Oxford University Press revealed more than half of primary school teachers have seen at least one child begin education with no experience of being told stories at home.

Written by Donal Walsh

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