A Hockliffe inventor is going into schools to show youngsters the magic of numbers.

Grandfather Tom Lennett is on a mission to show the nation’s schoolchildren that maths does not have to be the one subject they struggle with.

With a mixture of number tricks, puzzles and jokes, Mr Lennett demonstrates that far from from being boring or a subject to be frightened of, maths is fun.

Using the power and properties of numbers, he takes on the role of magician, mind reader, comic and wacky scientist.

From telling little ones a simple joke like ‘why is the number ten afraid of the number seven? Because seven ate nine and ten is next’, to appearing to have magician- like qualities where he can work out a number they have been asked to secretly choose, he is able to engage them, entertain and hold their interest.

He has already started giving talks and is writing to every school in Bedfordshire offering his services.

He talks to the children about the inventions and how they come about.

There is a serious side behind his message too. Maths teaching in the UK is in crisis.

Britain is falling down the global rankings when it comes to the subject.

Here in the UK fewer young people than ever before are continuing with maths education beyond the age of 16.

He said: “It’s shameful. Where once we led the world when it came to teaching maths and the achievements of our young people, we are now falling woefully down the table.”

Tom is now contacting schools within a 25 mile radius of his home offering to go into classrooms and show children the fun side of numbers and maths.

Tom, of Woburn Road, was living in Luton in the 1980s when he became aware his 14-year-old daughter Stephanie was struggling with her maths at school.

Looking around in the shops for a game he could use that would help her, he was staggered to find there wasn’t one.

Tom had always been comfortable around maths and numbers and he got the idea to invent a game himself.

The result was a board game where players use numbered tiles to make up sums on a board, crossword style. Players can add, multiply, subtract and divide.

He’s now had it manufactured in China and it’s on sale.

If you want Tom to come and visit your school he can be contacted at admin@numenko.com