Youngsters bagged themselves a useful gift designed to encourage reading.

The pupils from St Joseph's primary school in Stanford-le-Hope are now the proud owners of brand new bags, specially designed for their library books.

The books were among 3,000 sponsored by Lakeside shopping centre.

Each bag includes a ticket pocket and is aimed at encouraging children to look after books and make more use of their local library.

Bagging a book - youngsters from St Joseph's primary school with their new bags at Stanford-le-Hope library

Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

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