PARENTS are encouraged to help the builders, teachers, vets and footballers of tomorrow create their futures in a new country-wide initiative.

The ambition-building Future Me campaign aims to encourage children to work towards their dreams while improving vital literacy and numeracy skills.

The Scottish Government project asks parents and guardians to chat to youngsters about what they would like to do when they are older, then share the results online on a “giant dream wall” or by using the Future Me postbox at their library.

Although the website has gone live only today, paper entries have been received, with teacher, builder, vet and footballer said to be “extremely popular” choices.

Yesterday Education Secretary John Swinney said: “The Future Me campaign is about encouraging parents and carers to talk to their children about their dreams and ambitions for the future so they can start working to make these dreams a reality together.”