Reading could soon be very popular for one group of pupils, following the announcement their school has been awarded over £4,000 to buy new books.

Sandcross Junior School, Reigate, has welcomed the news that old books can now be replaced, thanks to the £4,470 windfall from the Reigate and Banstead Local Committee.

Headteacher Marian Reid said: "I would never have been able to spend that sort of money out of my budget for the year. It is going to make a huge difference to the children."

The Sandcross Lane school bid for the money several months ago to enable it to update and add to its current book supply.

It is a double celebration for the staff and pupils, as the school it has just won a government achievement award for improvement.

Other schools will benefit from funding from the local committee, announced at a meeting on Tuesday, December 10, including St Matthew's Church of England School and St Joseph's Catholic School, both in Redhill.

Nearly £7,000 has been set aside to be split evenly between the two schools. St Matthew's will use their share to buy a climbing frame with soft flooring and St Joseph's will put the money towards a play shed.

Other funding from the local committee, announced at their December meeting, includes £22,000 towards a local and family history centre in Banstead and £3,000 for free swimming lessons at the borough's leisure centres for 130 youngsters who cannot swim. Members also agreed a funding allocation of £3,000 to provide a Citizens Advice Bureau outreach service in Merstham.