A WEE COUNTY school has read the equivalent of almost 8,000 miles as part of Book Week.

This year Tillicoultry Primary School has embraced Book Week Scotland, an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place across the country, by inviting local authors to "virtually visit" classes.

During Book Week, the Parent Council organised and encouraged pupils to take part in a sponsored Readathon where each page read equalled one mile travelled.

On the first day alone the school had "travelled" more than 1,400 miles and had almost reached Rome.

They finished the week in Taj Mahal in India – an incredible 7,844 miles.

Mrs Thomas, acting headteacher, said it was an absolute joy to see children excited by reading and explained how the good cause will benefit the school.

She said: “We'd like to say a big thank you to all the pupils and their families for their support with the Readathon, and we hope that the funds raised through this amazing effort will allow the school to develop the Literacy Cafe into a valuable space, supporting literacy and a love of books and reading in all pupils.

“It has been an absolute joy to see children excited by reading and I’d like to thank the full staff team for adding the sparkle to learning during Book Week Scotland.”

Pupils have clearly been inspired by the week of reading as they are now writing their own stories and poems to put them in a section of the school library called Our Little Library.

Primary six pupil Rhys McGrouther said: “I enjoyed listening to Nick Strong so much I was inspired to write my own poems.”

Throughout the week staff and pupils also dressed up as characters from books.

Home Learning Reading Packs were created so pupils could participate and engage with reading activities at home and a Family Reading Event was held, which was very well attended by families.

Isla Davis in P4/3 said: “I enjoyed the games we played at the event because they were fun.”

CJ Smith added: “My favourite part of the Family Event was when Mrs. Speed read us a bedtime story.”

Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place across the country, supported by national charity Book Trust Scotland.

Visit scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland for more information and resources to get kids interested in reading.