A LEADING professor chose Wirral to launch a nationwide campaign to help underprivileged children in South Africa.

Professor Denis Goldberg, who spent 22 years in prison alongside Nelson Mandela for his anti-apartheid activities, joined local schoolchildren at Wallasey Town Hall to launch the 'Book and Ten Pence' campaign, which aims to improve literacy in South Africa.

The plan is to collect a million books to send to children in South Africa by asking people to donate books which would be suitable for youngsters up to the age of 16. Most importantly, ten pence must accompany each book to pay for transport costs.

In Wirral, books will be collected at schools and libraries as part of the nationwide effort.

Say the organisers: "We are looking for attractive, well-written books in good condition. They should be up-to-date and appropriate for the age group intended. If possible, books should be new or nearly new and not old text books, or books withdrawn from libraries or schools. In short, nothing that you would not give to your own child or grandchild, or expect them to receive."

The campaign runs until December 3. For further information, contact your local library.

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