Alesha Dixon backs free book scheme

Singer, children's author and television presenter Alesha Dixon is backing a new scheme offering free books to families to boost literacy and life chances.

Dixon is supporting the launch of a "Library of No Returns", where children can take books home to keep.

The initiative, led by Experian in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, will be based in Walsall, an area identified as having lower literacy rates.

Speaking at a launch event on Thursday, Dixon said: "Reading is a skill that stays with you for life, it serves you well in so many avenues in so many different ways."

She added that children "have the most vivid imaginations that need to be nurtured and so no child should miss out".

Organisers said the project aimed to remove barriers to book ownership and encourage a lifelong love of reading among children and families.

Organisers said improving access to books could help support long-term opportunities and financial resilience.

"Every child should have a book and should be inspired and ultimately in later life, it's going to serve them well no matter what industry they step into," Dixon added.

Further book drops are planned in other parts of the UK with similar levels of need.

Organisers added the scheme was designed to give more children access to books and help tackle inequalities in literacy across the country.

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