Monksmead First School received its "big book" just before half term, thanks to Elstree & Borehamwood Rotary Club.

The club is presenting tabloid-sized, large print books to all town first schools -- to help teachers and pupils in group reading.

Rotary is also supporting a library of speical needs books, based at Parkside, which all schools can make use of.

And the Borehamwood Times is donating £200 to the library, which will pay for around 15 books.

Our reporter Caroline Impey joined Rotary's David Clout at Monksmead in Hillside Avenue on Friday to meet some of the children who will benefit.

Mr Clout said: "I'm delighted that the club has been able to support this, and to take a part in raising literacy standards in our schools.

"We hope the books will give great pleasure to children for years to come."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.