Big Brother star Helen Adams is lending her support to a campaign to help adults brush up on the three Rs.

One in five adults do not have the literacy and numeracy skills expected of an 11-year-old, studies suggest.

Helen Adams from Cwmbran in south Wales, who is dyslexic, spoke at the launch of a government advertising campaign for a �1.5bn programme designed to boost basic skills over the next three years.

She said: "This is a really important issue and I'm pleased to have been invited to show my support for the Get On campaign.

"I have dyslexia and it does affect my every day life.

"People who find reading and writing difficult should not be embarrassed or afraid to admit it.

"If you make the effort it can make a real difference to your life," the hairdresser said.

Media campaign

Adverts on television, radio and in the press are being launched to encourage people to take courses to improve their skills.

Callers to a helpline will also be sent a free information pack with a video and postcards with practical hints on how to cope in everyday situations.

At the launch at Birmingham's Villa Park Stadium, the Education Secretary Estelle Morris said too many people were held back by their poor basic skills.

"Up to seven million adults struggle with reading, writing, speaking in public and doing everyday maths - one in five of the adult population do not have the skills we expect of an average 11-year-old," she said.

"This often means that they cannot get a decent job, they have reduced earnings, an increased chance of ill health and hardship, and they are unable to do many of the activities that many of us take for granted."

She said the government wanted 750,000 adults to improve their skills over the next three years.

The government has released the results of basic skills tests taken by 2000 adults who had followed a three month learning programme in basic skills.

One in three failed to reach the standards expected.

Estelle Morris said the success rate of about 65% was a "fantastic effort".

Try the questions

Literacy level one (standard expected of 11-year-olds)

Paracetamol directions for use: Adults take two tablets up to four times a day.

Do not exceed stated dose.

James, 29, has a headache. How many tablets should he take at a time?

a) half

b) one

c) two

d) four

"Do not exceed stated dose"

Which of the following means the same as exceed?

a) have less than

b) take

c) repeat

d) have more than

Numeracy level one

A group of local people formed a syndicate to enter the lottery. They won the jackpot! This was a headline in the Town Crier: Local workers share �8.5 MILLION.

How much is this in figures?

a) �85,000

b) �850,000

c) �8,500,000

d) �85,000,000

Answers:

Literacy - c, d

Numeracy - c

Get On information pack available by calling a free phone number - 08000 150 650