AFRICAN children will experience the joy of reading thanks to the efforts of primary school children in Poole.

Pupils at Talbot Combined School have donated more than 1,000 books which will be sent to youngsters in remote parts of the continent with the help of charity Book Aid for Africa.

The donations were part of numerous activities which also saw youngsters at the Talbot Drive school raise around £260 through sponsored reading.

All year groups, from reception to Year 7, were involved in the project, which took place around World Book Day.

It was organised by Events Management students from Bournemouth University and co-ordinated at the school by English subject leader Daniel Carter.

Mr Carter told the Daily Echo: “The university students put on an event which helped to raise awareness as well as encourage sponsored reading and donations.

“The children have been involved for two weeks and they have responded brilliantly. They have thoroughly enjoyed all the activities and have learned a lot.”

Book Aid for Africa is a charity which works around the world to provide good quality books for under-resourced libraries in remote and often forgotten areas.

Working with the help of shipping companies and volunteers, it also aims to provide other educational resources to improve the life chances of some of the poorest children in the world.