TWO Wirral schools have been given a funding boost for new books from the developers of new homes in their neighbourhood.

Greasby Junior School and Greasby Infant School will share the donation of £300 from Bellway to buy new books for their libraries, with the aim of enhancing and updating their existing selection with new releases and replacing well-used copies of much loved favourites that have suffered with wear and tear over the years.

Coinciding with World Book Day, Bellway’s sales advisor from its Arrowe Brook Park development on Arrowe Brook Road in Greasby, visited Greasby Junior School to make the donation and read a number of short stories to the children.

Headteacher at Greasby Junior School, Emma Ball, said: "Reading is exceptionally important for the educational development of the children within our school so we are extremely grateful to Bellway and Stef for partnering to make this donation.

"We will certainly put the funds to good use, liaising with our pupils to choose new titles for the school library for all to enjoy."

Sales director at Bellway, Jenny Bell, added: "With the schools located close to Arrowe Brook Park and pupils from the schools already living on the development, it was important for us to get involved.

"The donation will benefit children currently at school and hopefully future pupils who can enjoy the additional books in the library."

Bellway teamed up with local Usbourne books, who will help replace some of the collection. Local Usborne book supplier Stef Hazlegreaves added: "Reading for pleasure is a huge indicator of a child’s future success with a love of books so important in school life.

"Working with schools, we try to encourage a love of reading by providing new books and introducing new authors and genres to be enjoyed and shared by all."

A worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day takes place annually in more than 100 countries around the globe encouraging children of all ages to come together to share the joy of reading for pleasure and the many long term educational benefits that creates.