There is a growing concern that many Welsh school pupils will leave school without the ability to read and write properly, according to a campaign group that has looked into the extent of the issue. 

The Read On. Get On. coalition has called for action to be taken to tackle the issue, which it says could see as many as 26,000 pupils across Wales leaving school without these skills in place. 

According to the Welsh government, literacy will be central when it comes to the formation of a new curriculum, and the campaign group said it's vital that this intention is carried on by whichever party comes to power at the assembly elections this May. 

The campaigners want to see poor children in particular targeted, with as many as 10,000 of those potentially leaving school without the requisite reading and writing skills likely to come from a disadvantaged background. 

It has called for early years support and plans to be put in place to make sure more parents are encouraged to read with their children at home to improve the overall reading skills of youngsters. 

"We know that this is a challenging ambition, but it is wholly achievable and within our grasp if we focus our efforts," said Save the Children's Mary Powell-Chandler, who is the chair of Read On. Get On.

Aled Roberts, Welsh Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said: "The Welsh Liberal Democrats, in budget negotiations, insisted on the creation of the Welsh Pupil Premium, which focuses resources to Wales' most disadvantaged children. 

"We are already seeing the benefits of this policy, which is beginning to break the link between poverty and attainment that has dogged our education system for so long. However, more must be done and there is no room for complacency."