BOOKWORMS at Birchensale Middle School have been discovering the pleasure of reading for fun.

The school has recently received a Reading Connect award, which recognises its long-term commitment to encouraging students and staff to enjoy a good book.

Birchensale is one of only 1,000 schools in the country to have received one of the awards from the department for education and skills.

School spokeswoman Margaret Widdowson, who applied for the award, said: "We hope to encourage reading for pleasure and with this in mind, we are having reading sessions for pupils and staff in the library at lunchtimes."

The Batchley school also holds monthly book discussion groups.