TAVISTOCK College Year 7 students have received a free book of their choice to help encourage a love of reading.

The students each picked one of 15 books under Booked Up, a programme run by Booktrust.

Librarian Kathy Worrall said: 'This initiative is a wonderful way of getting Year 7 interested in reading as they are thrilled with the idea of having a free book.

'The scheme was launched in 2007 so this is our third year and it's been a great success.

'The students chose their books in September and many have been regularly calling into the library ever since to ask if their book had arrived.

'It felt like an early Christmas when they all did and we could hand them out to excited students.'

Booked Up was founded to support reading for pleasure. Booktrust, which set up the scheme, is a charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to enjoy books.