Beaumont Shopping Centre, in Beaumont Leys, has donated £10,000 to help hundreds of schoolchildren discover the joy of reading.
It is part of the National Literacy Trust's Young Readers programme – funded in partnership with the centre and WH Smith – and has already helped 250 children aged between seven and nine at three Leicester primary schools – Stokes Wood and Parks primary schools, both in New Parks, and Barley Croft, in Beaumont Leys.
Youngsters visited the centre this week to learn how to choose books at the right reading level that really interest them. They were invited to select three books to take home and keep.
WH Smith donated vouchers to each of the participating schools to boost their library resources.
They were also treated to a story-telling session at Beaumont Leys library.
The children then got to see behind the scenes at the shopping centre, with a tour of Tesco.
Beaumont's beat bobby Pc Lee Cannings also dropped in for a chat.
Sarah Duffin, manager of Beaumont Shopping Centre, said: "We're thrilled to take part this year in the Young Readers programme as part of our commitment to the community.
"The programme really helps children to enjoy books."
Sarah Cook, project manager at the National Literacy Trust, said: "Many of the children will have never bought a book of their own before so they will be very excited to choose three new books to keep.
"As children who become independent readers are more likely to succeed at school and later on, our programme will have a dramatic impact on the future opportunities of these children."
