CHIPPING Norton Theatre is to host a reading group for a BBC backed project.

The Bookscape event on Wednesday, September 24 from 1pm to 2pm is free to anyone who would like to attend to enjoy the readings.

It is all part of a series of programmes for TV and radio entitled The Big Read based around the nation's best loved books.

The BBC initiative aims to bring books and people together.

The Bookscape project involves 11 reading groups spread across the UK, including a group at the Theatre in Chipping Norton.

Led by Reader in Residence, Brenda Read-Brown, the local group will be presenting their prose and poetic reactions to the two texts - Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks and I capture the

Castle by Dodie Smith.

Her 15 readers are mostly retired people ranging from 57 to 79, and all live in

or near the village.

Ms Read-Brown said: "The performance promises to be well worth a visit particularly for anyone who has read either of the books."