BROUGHTON Shopping Park has unveiled a new 'Little Library' so visitors can share and exchange books for free, ahead of World Book Day (March 7).

With books for children and adults of all ages, the book swap aims to inspire the community to get reading by providing access to new stories free of charge, while also helping people to be more sustainable.

More than 100 books have been donated by Broughton and its partners, including National Literacy Trust, to stock up the shelves so far, with readers encouraged to return the book once finished or replace with another to keep the cycle going but only if they are able to do so.

Read more: School Report - Kit donation, news reporting, eisteddfod and St David's Day

The Little Library is located in the foyer outside Costa Coffee at Broughton and books available include everything from The Very Hungry Caterpillar for younger children, to popular novels such as The Thursday Murder Club and Conversations with Friends for older readers.

 

Alan Pruden-Barker, centre manager at Broughton, with the Little Library.

Alan Pruden-Barker, centre manager at Broughton, with the Little Library.

 

Alan Pruden-Barker, centre manager at Broughton, said: "From our ongoing partnership with the National Literacy Trust through the Young Readers Programme, we know how important it is for children to have access to books - both to spark their imaginations and to support their learning - and reading is a great way for us grown-ups to relax too!

"We hope this initiative will encourage visitors to recycle any unwanted books they might have at home and give them a second life on the shelves of our Little Library for someone new to discover."

Read more: Choir entertains shoppers for cancer support charity

The Young Readers Programme is an award-winning initiative sponsored by Broughton owner British Land and run in-partnership with the National Literacy Trust, designed to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.

Since the programme launched at the Flintshire retail park, it has supported more than 2,658 school children and seen more than 7,974 books donated across Chester and North Wales.

For more information on Broughton, visit www.broughtonshopping.co.uk