NURSERY rhymes, board books and bedroom posters are on offer in a free library starter pack targeting young children.

Libraries in the area have set-up the scheme to involve children in books and reading from as early as seven months.

Owl Club Bookstart members aged 7-12 months get a free starter pack and booklist on joining.

Sponsors are backing the scheme which is supported by Wigan and Leigh Health Services Trust and Wigan and Bolton Health Authority.

Invitations to join will be given out at local clinics.

Wigan's Director of Leisure Rodney Hill said:"There is considerable concern about the levels of literacy among children nationally.

"We believe you cannot start early enough getting children used to holding books and understanding the marks on a page mean something.

"Even at six months a baby can hold a book, focus on pictures and listen to parents descriptions of them.

"The ability to read is a most important factor in the enjoyment of life in general and is vital to employment prospects."

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