Books have been provided to support young readers as part of an exciting partnership between the Premier League and the National Literacy Trust.

The Foundation’s education team will be providing further support by delivering supported reading sessions based on the books the children have received.

Foundation schools education manager, Sam Mardle, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to distribute these books to our network of schools and children who need them most. The giveaway will further enhance our vital delivery in the local community.

‘We have been using numerous innovative ways to continue delivery with our participants during the lockdown period, and we can’t wait to build upon this when we return to face-to-face delivery in schools.’

As part of the initiative, 25,000 free books will be given to schools who take part in the Premier League Primary Stars education programme.

National Literacy Trust research has found that children who have their own books are nearly three times more likely to enjoy reading.

The collaboration between the Premier League and the National Literacy Trust will help support children whose access to physical books has been made difficult due to school and public library closures during the national lockdown.

Jim Sells, sport and literacy programme manager at the National Literacy Trust, added: ‘World Book Day promotes reading for pleasure to improve all children’s life chances, and we are so pleased to support the charity behind the initiative.

‘We know that children who have books at home do better in school, so we are delighted to be able to distribute such an incredible number of books to schools across the country with the help of the community organisations.

‘I’d also like to thank our partners at Walker Books and the Morrison’s Foundation for making this possible.’

As part of World Book Day celebrations, Chelsea FC Women’s player Jonna Andersson took part in The National Literacy Trust’s Live Facebook event on Thursday.

The defender provided questions for school pupils attending the special World Book Day event, which involved an interactive quiz featuring questions asked by players from the Women’s Super League, the Premier League and the English Football League.