YOUNG readers were given free books at school as part of a new scheme to improve literacy across the region.

The Free Books project was set up after statistics revealed one in eight disadvantaged children in the UK do not own a single book.

The not-for-profit group visited Castleside Primary School in Consett recently and hope more schools in the region will host similar events over the next year.

Project co-founder Barrie McDermid said: “It’s shocking to learn that so many kids are growing up in homes where there isn’t a single book.

“The same research shows that children who do own books are 15 times more likely to read above the expected level for their age.”

Castleside Primary School headteacher Alison Spence was delighted with the reaction she saw among all 120 pupils.

She said: “We whole-heartedly support anything that encourages our children to read and this scheme is just brilliant.

“It was great to see such excitement and interest in new books and the fact that they were able to take them home for free is just fantastic.”

To donate books, help with storage or organise an event, visit free-books.org.uk or look at the group’s Facebook page.