Maidstone schools have been offered a grant to get pupils hooked on reading.

Golding Homes has announced it will sponsor 10 local schools for the Buster’s Book Club literacy scheme as part of its 10-year anniversary celebrations.

The scheme is organised by the KM Charity Team and sets an individual home reading target based on year group. There are reading challenges throughout the year along with prizes and a record attempt to maintain youngsters’ enthusiasm.

Caroline McBride, community development manager at Golding Homes, said: “We are very excited with the concept of Buster’s Book Club. We know that there are some children in our communities struggling to get enthusiastic about reading and this is a great way to do it.

“We are really looking forward to seeing the results and how the children get on with the challenges.”

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said the reading initiative had proved to be effective at involving parents and engaging with pupils. “The ten-school pilot exceeded our expectations by achieving more than half a million minutes of reading at home,” he added.

Buster’s Book Club is also supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, Mini Babybel, Specsavers, Orbit South, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, The Ernest Cook Trust and Leeds Castle.

School representatives can find out if they’re eligible for the literacy grant by contacting Simon Dolby at sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk or 07989 164 752.

Schools wanting to find out more or to download the order form should visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk.