A CHARITY which sends out over 900 free books a month to children from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds in Bradford has celebrated its third anniversary.

Canterbury Imagine started on the Canterbury estate and next month will give 646 books to under-fives in that area.

The charity also funds Bradford Imagine, which provides free books for 125 under-fives in the care of the local authority, which are sent to foster homes.

And a further scheme based around Midland Road nursery school and children’s centre in Manningham, which started in April 2014 and has recently attracted support from neighbouring Bradford City Football Club, will also send out 138 books next month.

The charity is affiliated to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the scheme set up by the country singer, and is the first imagination library in West Yorkshire.

The Nine to Five singer was inspired by seeing impoverished communities in her home of East Tennessee, and wanted to give children the best possible start in education.

The Bradford charity, run by Jan Winter, aims to help to improve literacy, emotional development, educational attainment and life chances for the children who are signed up. Children receive a free book through the post from birth until their fifth birthday.

The children build up their own ‘imagination library’ of up to 60 books, suitable for their age.

This month the charity celebrates its third year and parents and children were invited to a party at Canterbury Children's Centre on Basil Street, along with the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Joanne Dodds.

Mrs Winter said: "Building a love of reading early in the lives of children will pay dividends as they progress through school and into adult life.

"The scheme is so popular with families and education professionals alike, offering quality age-appropriate books right into the children’s homes. Parents tell us they spend time sharing books with their youngsters, too, which is important bonding time."

The scheme also offers sessions for parents to encourage them to share books with their babies as well as taking the message into homes.

Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust recently supported the charity with a grant and Bradford City Football Club started a scheme this summer where staff and players can register their own children and fund books for disadvantaged children within their community at the same time.