MOST parents will be delighted that their youngsters want a bedtime story during an afternoon, but these children are not planning on an early night.

Sure Start Wear Valley, an agency for pre-school children and their parents, is running a series of activities on the theme of bedtime routines this week, for National Bedtime Reading Week.

Professional storytellers visited the Sure Start Nursery in St Helens Primary School yesterday and are due at Henknowle Community Centre tomorrow, when youngsters will arrive with teddy bears and pyjamas to hear their imaginative stories.

Crafts sessions will also be held throughout the week and children will learn about bedtime routines.

The event also coincides with World Book Day on Thursday, a national event designed to encourage books and reading among children in the UK while supporting international charities which promote books and reading abroad.

For more information contact Sure Start on (01388) 665665.