CHILDREN at Darnhall Primary School in Winsford have been treated to a new vending machine – filled entirely with books.

This exciting initiative has been launched to promote a love for reading amongst the children and to encourage them to read more frequently.

The school would like to thank the Darnhall Trust for its generous donation which allowed the vending machine to be purchased.

This new addition will support the school’s frequent reader scheme, in which children receive a stamp for reading three or more times a week.

Once the children have received 12 stamps, they will be issued with a golden token which they can then use to receive a free book prize from the vending machine.

"Reading is such a vital life skill and encouraging children to love books is something that we constantly promote throughout our school," said Sarah Tomlinson, headteacher.

"Through reading and hearing stories, children build upon their range of vocabulary, develop their language skills and spark their imagination.

"Children can get lost in the pages of a good book which can take them off to far-away lands as well as widening their understanding of the world around them."