HUNDREDS of books have been donated to a scheme aimed at getting children to read.

The Get Witham Reading initiative will be handing out books to nine different schools in the town and nearby villages after being given several hundred free books by the World Book Day charity.

Witham MP Priti Patel runs the scheme and plans to distribute the books herself next month during a one day event, called Get Witham Reading.

She said: "I am immensely grateful to World Book Day for their generous donation and support for my Get Witham Reading event. These books will put smiles on the faces of a lot of children in my constituency this year.

"Every year World Book Day promotes the significant benefits of reading and campaigns to revive reading as a national pastime. I hope these books and the activities planned for Get Witham Reading 2019 will inspire children and young people across my constituency to develop a love of reading and continue reading in their spare time."

Ms Patel was informed of the donation made to her initiative during a reception held at Parliament by World Book Day.

The charities director Kirsten Grant said: "World Book Day books have been instrumental in encouraging children and young people to read for pleasure for over 20 years.

"Developing a love of reading and sharing stories is one of the most important areas of a child’s development, which can fundamentally affect their future life chances, so we are delighted to support the Get Witham Reading campaign, to share the transformative power of books and the magic of reading."

The Get Witham Reading event takes place on Friday, July 12 July.

The schools taking part on the day include Powers Hall Academy, Templars Academy, Silver End Academy, Howbridge Junior School and New Rickstones Academy.