A schoolgirl who caught the attention of ITV producers after pledging to help her local library had no idea she would be appearing live on national TV.

10-year-old Ella Bacon, who is a year five pupil from Lechlade, undertook a readathon challenge in February 2024 to raise money to keep her local community-run library open.

Lechlade Library was in need of approximately £75,000 for structural repairs, a target that felt impossible to reach.

Swindon Advertiser: Ella has independently raised over a thousand pounds to keep her local library open.Ella has independently raised over a thousand pounds to keep her local library open. (Image: Anna-Marie Bacon)

On Saturday, Ella had no idea that she would be appearing live on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

Going live via video link to Ella's family home in Lechlade, Dec told Ella: "When you heard your local library was in trouble, you took on a massive readathon which saved the library from closing.

"You saved their bacon, Ella Bacon, and we think you deserve a takeaway getaway."

Swindon Advertiser: 10-year-old Ella could not believe her eyes when her face appeared live on national TV.10-year-old Ella could not believe her eyes when her face appeared live on national TV. (Image: ITV)

Book-lover Ella said she originally took on the challenge of raising money because of how much she loves her local library.

"My mum reads every day so she has turned me into a bit of a bookworm too," said Ella.

"I love the library and would love for it to be able to get the work it needs so I’m trying to help raise some money by challenging myself to read every day for 30 days.

Ella's JustGiving page has currently raised over £1,060.