A SCHEME to encourage reading has given 56,000 free books to children across County Durham.

Bookstart, launched five years ago, is a national initiative that also gives advice to parents on helping their children to read.

It was set up to encourage parents to share books with children from an early age and help them develop a lasting love of reading.

The youngest child to be registered with the scheme at a Durham County Council-run library was only ten days old.

"Tots love fun story times, rhyme times and parties in their libraries and babies love to share books," said Patricia Brown, the council's assistant youth services manager.

"Sharing books helps build language skills, nurtures a long-lasting enjoyment of books and gives children a head start with their reading in preparation for school.''

Parents are given a Bookstart pack that includes free books, information about library activities and services, advice on sharing books and a nursery rhymes placemat.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, recently presented the four millionth free Bookstart book at a London nursery.