YOUNGSTERS are being invited to discover the joys of reading at a series of fun events.

Hartlepool Borough Council's library service is staging the free events from Monday to Friday next week, to mark National Storytelling Week.

Professional storyteller Pat Renton will weave her magic at several sessions, and there will also be a series of read-and-rhyme and craft workshops, with face-painting.

Children and young person's librarian Gill Slimings said: "The events are all about encouraging parents to go back to using the traditional skill of storytelling to develop their children's reading."

The events begin on Monday, at Central Library, in York Road, at 9.45am, Throston Library, at 10.30am, and Owton Manor Library, at 1.45pm.

Read-and-rhyme and craft sessions for children under five and their families will be held at Seaton Carew Library, at 2pm on Tuesday, and at Foggy Furze Library, on Wednesday, February 1, at 10.30am. Next Thursday, they will be held at Central Library, from 10am, and at West View Library, from 2pm.

The sessions will come to a close on Friday, February 3, at Headland Library, at 2pm.