West Dorset law firm Kitson & Trotman has launched a community book drive.

Kitson & Trotman is looking to provide books to local schools and organisations to help disadvantaged children, teenagers and young adults.

As long-standing sponsors of the Bridport Literary Festival, the firm wants to promote the joy of reading to those who may find reading inaccessible.

According to a report called ‘Book Ownership, Literacy Engagement and Mental Wellbeing’ published by the National Literacy Trust, one in four disadvantaged children across the UK has fewer than ten books, and one in eight has no books of their own.

Kitson & Trotman is passionate about this initiative as not everyone has access to books or literacy resources.

They outlined that by the age of 11, there is a 12-month language development gap between children from book-rich homes and those with fewer than ten books.

Additionally, book ownership has a direct link to improved mental health among children, whilst reading fluency itself has a significant impact on children’s successful progression through education.

Now, they are asking the local community to help by donating new, or good quality second-hand books, for them to distribute.

Kitson & Trotman has set up donation points at its offices at Beaminster, off Hogshill Street, and Bridport in Chancery Lane.

These points will remain open until December 9.