A SHIPLEY primary school has received a Christmas donation of books by a parliamentary candidate.

Labour’s recently selected parliamentary candidate for Shipley Jo Pike visited Wycliffe Primary School yesterday to donate children’s books to pupils.

The visit followed research from the National Literacy Trust that 7,800 children across Bradford do not own a single book.

Mrs Pike said: “Reading is a real joy and so important for children’s education. But families in our area are really struggling financially and having to make very difficult choices. Buying books and other gifts is simply impossible for some families.”

Sian Hughes, deputy headteacher at Wycliffe, said: “Our pupils love reading and this is something we are very keen to support as a school. The more children we can get reading at home the better.”