TEMPLE Hill Children's Library has been given two free books to mark the Library Association's new campaign to promote children's literature.

The books were given to the library, in Temple Hill Square, by Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate. They were an Encyclopaedia of People and Plans, and a book by David Almond called Skellig, which won the Whitbread award and the Carnegie award for children's books.

A library spokesman said: "We are always grateful for book donations and are sure these two books will be a very useful addition to our stock."

Dr Stoate, who is part of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries, which is supporting the campaign, said: "I believe that giving children access to good fiction is one of the most important things we can do to stimulate their imaginations and encourage them to think for themselves."