BOOKS wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string have been left around Festival Place today in celebration of World Book Day.

A ‘secret book worm’ visited the shopping centre to leave the special gifts to mark the 25th anniversary of the annual event.

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The books, donated by Waterstones on the lower level of the centre, were wrapped up to encourage people to pick up and read a book they might otherwise have left on the shelf.

One package said: “Pick me if you’re 8-12 and would like a book with adventures, family, friendship and foxes – Happy World Book Day.”

Another read: “Pick me if you like a poetic, stunning tale set in Tuscany!”

Festival Place events and community manager Sian Fisher said: “Being able to read books at any age is so important, and we are committed to supporting the building of literacy skills for everyone, no matter how you read.

“We hope that the books have found their way to good homes and have encouraged people to perhaps read something they wouldn’t have picked up themselves.”

The special treats followed a weekend of book fun for visitors to Festival Place who were invited into a magical woodland where children met Whiskers the Fox and fearless froggy Sydney Syllable for interactive story sessions, visited the Big Book Nook for stories with Sybil Spoonerism the Squirrel, and enjoyed colouring bookmarks with Bobby Badger, which they showed at Waterstones for discounted books.

People also had the opportunity to find out more about Read Easy UK, a charity helping adults learn to read or improve their reading skills.

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