FREE books will be handed out to children this Christmas with the aim of improving their overall wellbeing.

Swindon Stories, the local arm of the National Literacy Trust, has launched the free book giveaway to give parents the chance to choose from 20 books to get their children into reading over the holidays.

The giveaway coincides with new research by the National Literacy Trust which shows that the more books a child owns, the more likely they are to do well at school and be happy with their lives.

Anish Harrison, Manager of Swindon Stories, said: “Books have the power to transform lives, yet far too many children are missing out on the chance to reach their full potential simply because they don’t have a book of their own at home.

" By supporting Swindon Stories, you can help set disadvantaged children in Swindon fall in love with reading for a lifetime.”

The survey of more than 44,000 children aged 8 - 18 in the UK found that children who have more books in their home have a high level of mental well being then their counterparts of the same age.

It warned that disadvantaged children are those most at risk of low literacy. Low income households had 33 per cent less books than more affluent ones.

Swindon Stories, which was launched by the National Literacy Trust in February 2018, brings together local partners to get children reading and raise literacy levels in Swindon.

To find out more go to wordsforlife.org.uk/festive-fun/winter-book-giveaway.