START 'em young is one North-East town's motto when it comes to learning to read.
And over the next year, all three-year-olds in Hartlepool will be given a free Treasure Box full of books at nursery.
Hartlepool Borough Council is extending its successful Bookstart scheme to younger children.
The Treasure Boxes - paid for by the Government - are packed with books and other goodies, such as pens and bookplates.
The initiative will build on the existing scheme, which saw babies aged about nine months given a books pack, and toddlers aged about 18 months receive a reading pack from their health visitor.
Bookstart support worker Fiona Marshall-Bell, who will be working closely with libraries and nurseries, said: "There has never been a better or more exciting time for young people in Hartlepool to enjoy reading and we are committed to giving every child the opportunity and encouragement to develop a lifelong love of books."
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