Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart has praised a Shropshire college for its efforts to help youngsters with dyslexia.

The three-times world champion was at Ellesmere College today in order to see the new unit which has been opened at the school.

Sir Jackie knows first hand the difficulties youngsters with dyslexia face and is calling for more schools, especially state run facilities, to provide for them.

After going through school being told by teachers he was stupid, the Scot only found out he was dyslexic when his two sons were being tested.

He said: “As a dyslexic who was not diagnosed at any time through my period of education, I feel very strongly that we have to significantly change the way that young people, in particular with learning difficulties, are given help and assistance.

“This is particularly true in respect to early recognition of dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

“What they have done at Ellesmere college is really good but it is not social inclusion. I am campaigning for improvements in all education.

“I want to see teacher training include training on spotting the first signs of dyslexia and I want to see a specialist teacher in every school in Britain.”

After his visit to Ellesmere Sir Jackie will be getting ready to watch the climax of the current Formula One season on Sunday and said he would like to see Lewis Hamilton crowned world champion.