Book-loving Canterbury pupils were treated to a sweet story time by MP Rosie Duffield as a reward for taking the top spot in a reading challenge.

Koala Class from St John’s CofE Primary School were crowned best in the county for amount of time spent reading at home.

Organised by the KM Charity Team, the challenge was part of Buster’s Book Club which encourages classes to work together to meet or exceed their home-reading targets.

Participating pupils compete for the Reading Class of the Week Trophy while monthly inter-school contests offer tickets to leisure attractions, celebrity storyteller visits, and other experience prizes.

The young constituents at St John’s voted for Ms Duffield, Labour MP for Canterbury and Whitstable, to read the classic Brothers Grimm yarn Hansel and Gretel.

The tale follows two siblings, abandoned in a forest, who find a gingerbread house and battle a cannibalistic witch.

Simon Dolby, CEO of the KM Charity Team, said: “I’d like to thank Rosie for doing such a great job of bringing the fairytale to life.

“It was a sweet treat for the children, who have developed a real love of reading. And they will reap the rewards of stronger literacy skills throughout their schooling and beyond.”

Buster’s Book Club is supported by organisations including Kent County Council, Medway Council, Kent Community Foundation, Specsavers, Rotary, Orbit, The Education People, Wildwood, Crown Foundation, Acorns Read and Grow, Historic Dockyard Chatham, Golding Homes, London Borough of Bexley, Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm, Leeds Castle, Diggerland, and Hornby.

Schools can find out more, or register, at www.BustersBookClub.co.uk

Educational charity the KM Charity Team also runs the KM Walk to School Campaign which helps schools encourage pupils and their families to champion green travel. Now is the time for schools to sign up and those registering before the end of term will receive a 20% discount on the price for the 2019/20 academic year at www.KmWalkToSchool.co.uk/Wow