A HEREFORD shopping centre has gifted bundles of children’s books to the City of Hereford Rotary Club as they look to support families in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Old Market has handed some 300 books with children at local schools, as well as activity booklets.

Nick Tecza, president at the City of Hereford Rotary Club said: “It’s been great to watch so many local children get excited about the activity booklets and choosing brand new books to take home.

"This has really meant a lot to us and we know just how much of a difference they will make.”

The new initiative is led by Old Market’s owner, British Land, and the National Literacy Trust.

It follows a long-running partnership to help encourage children to enjoy reading outside of the classroom and to provide them with the resources to do so.

Research from the National Literacy Trust shows children who own their own books are happier, yet one in 11 children and young people in the UK don’t have a book of their own at home.

They said many children have not been attending school due to the coronavirus pandemic and the project aims to tackle the problem.

Alan Anderson, centre manager at Old Market, added: “Encouraging children to love to read and giving them access to their own books is so important, especially at this particularly difficult time.

“We’re really pleased to be able to continue to work with the National Literacy Trust to support amazing local organisations like the City of Hereford Rotary Club.”