VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help spread some literary cheer to housebound Poole folk.

The Royal Voluntary Service provides a novel service, delivering books from the library to avid readers who are unable to get in and choose their own volumes.

All Poole libraries have their own team of dedicated volunteers taking books, large print and talking books on CD or memory stick, free of charge every three weeks.

The RVS held a coffee morning at Branksome Library to spread the word among potential volunteers and to those who might need the service, which is funded by Poole Library Service.

“We had three potential volunteers who came forward wanting to help us, which was fabulous,” said Maria Jacobson, who manages the RVS Home Library Service.

“It is available to anyone who can’t get to the library themselves,” she said and can be provided on a temporary or permanent basis.

She goes to see anyone who wants to sign up to the service and discusses what type of books they like to read and notes favourite authors.

Every three weeks a volunteer will visit with a new selection of reading matter.

There are currently around 220 recipients of the service in Poole, which is also operated by RVS volunteers throughout Dorset and in Bournemouth. Poole has 40-45 volunteers who need to be able to dedicate two or three hours every three weeks, are trained, DBS checked and offered 45p a mile to use their own cars.

Volunteers are particularly sought in the Branksome and Hamworthy areas, and would be welcomed from all other areas as well.

Anyone interested in receiving the Home Library Service or becoming a volunteer can contact Maria Jacobson on 01305 236666 or 07786 635154.