SEVERAL recipients in the Tavistock area will be receiving free books to hand out as part of World Book Night this Saturday.

One million books will be given away by an army of passionate readers to members of the public across the UK.

West Devon charity Tamwed, which supports projects with extremely poor communities in South India, will receive copies of Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance.

The book tells the story of four characters from very different sectors of the Indian Caste system during the turmoil in the country during the 1970s.

The book give away will comprise 40,000 copies of each 25 carefully selected titles, to be given away by 20,000 'givers', who will each distribute 48 copies of their chosen title to whomever they choose.

The remaining books will be distributed in places that might otherwise be difficult to reach such as prisons and hospitals.

Simon Church of Book Stop in Tavistock said: 'We are glad to be associated with this brave event and hope it encourages more people to read books and use their local bookshops and libraries.'

A Fine Balance will be available at Book Stop from noon on Saturday March 5 and recipients are being encouraged to make a donation to a Tamwed project helping an isolated rural community in South India to cope with the drastic effects of climate change.