ALMOST 7,800 children in Bradford do not own a single book - according to new research by a literacy charity.

The findings, by the National Literacy Trust, show that the most likely children to not have a book are those from deprived backgrounds, boys, and teenagers.

The trust, which has a hub in Bradford to book literacy in the district, has now launched a campaign to get the provide the country’s poorest children with their first book at Christmas.

The national survey shows that 5.5 times as many children and young people who say that they don’t have a book at home say that they don’t enjoy reading at all compared with those who have their own book.

The research report, Book ownership and reading outcomes, found that children who say they don’t own a single book have much poorer educational outcomes than their book owning peers.

Children who own books are 15 times more likely to read above the level expected for their age than their peers who don’t own a book (28.8 per cent vs 1.9 per cent) and four times less likely to read below the expected level (12.9 per cent vs 48.1 per cent).

Breaking down the figures, the Trust found that in the Bradford District there were 7,773 school children aged 8-18, who don’t own a single book.

Jonathan Douglas, Director of the trust, said: “Books have the power to transform children’s lives, which is why it is so alarming to discover that more than 7,000 school children in Bradford don’t have a single book to call their own.

“By donating to the National Literacy Trust this Christmas, you could help give a disadvantaged child their first ever book and set them on the path to a brighter future.”

The Christmas Stories campaign is being lead by best-selling author and illustrator, Cressida Cowell. She said: “Far too many children from some of the poorest families in the UK are missing out on the chance to reach their potential for one simple reason – they don’t have a single book of their own at home.

“Just one book can make a huge difference. By joining me in supporting the National Literacy Trust’s Christmas Stories campaign, you can help a disadvantaged child unwrap their very first book this Christmas.”

To donate to the campaign, visit literacytrust.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/change-childs-life-story-christmas/