(Image: York Vikings Rotary)
A Rotary Club has donated books to a school to help inspire a lifelong love of reading.
York Vikings Rotary has donated 66 books to Year 6 leavers at Westfield Primary School, in partnership with Acomb bookshop Books and Bev’s.
Each pupil received a copy of The First Year by Matt Goodfellow, a verse novel that follows a boy named Nate as he begins secondary school.
Richard Watson, president of York Vikings Rotary, said: "There is clear evidence that establishing the reading habit early helps children develop their empathy and imagination and enriches their whole lives.
"We know too that schools are tight for funds to buy books.
"That’s why, each year, we try to do something practical to foster a love of reading."
Lisa Sweeney, who leads literacy at Westfield Primary, said the donation was warmly received.
Ms Sweeney said: "We were thrilled to see every single child take home a book of their own.
"Fostering a genuine love for reading is at the heart of so much that we do, and sending our pupils off with a new story felt like the perfect way to reinforce that lifelong message."
York Vikings Rotary has around 50 members and supports a range of local and international causes.