FOOTBALL fans in Norfolk have been given the chance to boost their literacy skills by helping to create a book all about their love of the Canaries.Norfolk County Council has worked with the Literacy Trust and Legends Publishing to help develop City 'Til I Die - a new book written by football fans for football fans.

FOOTBALL fans in Norfolk have been given the chance to boost their literacy skills by helping to create a book all about their love of the Canaries.

Norfolk County Council has worked with the Literacy Trust and Legends Publishing to help develop City 'Til I Die - a new book written by football fans for football fans.

The book will be launched ahead of Norwich's home game against Barnsley on Saturday, 12.30pm at the Norwich City Study Support Centre. Contributors will attend the event and share passages from the book.

Tutors worked with supporters of all ages to develop the book, holding a series of special workshops at the centre, which is run by the county council and football club

The book has been funded by The Football Foundation, Arts Council England and the Professional Football Association and 600 copies will now be distributed free to schools in the county to use as a tool for reading and learning.

Study support centre tutor and project manager Ros Watson said: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity of working with the National Literacy Trust, Legends Publishing and of course the amazingly passionate fans of Norwich City, to produce this fantastic book.

“Any initiative which encourages adults and children to write stories has to be of utmost important and this project has done that and more.

Cabinet member for children's services Alison Thomas, , said: “We want Norfolk's residents to be high achievers with good skills, particularly in core subjects such as literacy.

“This project is a wonderful example of how a specific interest, like football, can be used to engage with people and develop their knowledge and skills.

“I'm sure those who have taken part will be thrilled to see their work in print and will be even more delighted to know their efforts will directly benefit Norfolk's schoolchildren.”

National Literacy Trust project manager Irfan Master said: “City 'Til I Die is one of 16 books we are producing nationally in 2010.

“We have discovered that tapping into football fans' underlying passion for the team is an excellent way to encourage them to enjoy writing and improve their skills.

“By empowering people to engage with literacy in meaningful ways, the aim of the National Literacy Trust is to create change that will last a lifetime.”

The book will be on-sale at the launch, priced �10. It features anecdotes of the highs and lows of supporting Norwich City.