In celebration of this year’s National Bookstart Day, Lyn Brown - West Ham’s Labour MP - spent the morning of Tuesday 6^th October reading to local children at Plaistow Library.

 Along with Plaistow South Councillor Neil Wilson, Community Lead Councillor for Plaistow Community Forum, Lyn joined parents and library staff for Plaistow’s weekly under 5’s storytelling session. Ms Brown hoped to highlight her support for Bookstart, the national programme run by the charity Booktrust to promote literacy among young children.

 Lyn said: “Books have been an incredibly important part of my life ever since I was a young girl growing up in East London, when my mother would take me round the corner to the local library every day.

 “I’ve never lost my passion for reading and I want as many young people as possible to benefit from books as much as I have done over the years. Newham has excellent libraries, which is great for our community’s younger members because a library can do so much to help foster improved literacy, cultural awareness and an all-round love of learning.”

 Booktrust is an independent UK-wide charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to enjoy books.

 In addition to local community events, a million copies of the free booklet Bookstart’s Favourite Rhymes have been given out on high streets and in shopping centres across the UK as part of Booktrust’s campaign.

 To find out more about the Bookstart campaign, or to find out how to get involved, visit www.bookstart.org.uk – or your local library!