A FORMER Stourport teacher's novel idea to get more children to read has seen dozens of books hidden across the Wyre Forest for youngsters to find.

Tammy Griffin set up the 'Look for a Book' Facebook group earlier this month to share clues on the hiding places and encourage more parents - or 'Book Pixies' - to get involved.

The 28-year-old told The Shuttle: "It's something I'd seen on the news in another area in England and I thought it would be lovely to have that in Kidderminster.

"I used to be a primary school teacher so I know how important it is for children to read, and how much parents can struggle to get their children excited about books.

"The Look for a Book group is something parents can take their children out and about to get involved in - and it's free!"

The initiative works by joining the group on Facebook to find clues on where the books are hidden, taking children out to find them and take home to read, and either re-hiding the book for another child to find or exchanging it for a different book from the child's own collection.

Children are encouraged to write a note to leave on the book or download a ready-written message from the Facebook page to congratulate the finder, and to hide books inside a waterproof cover.

Parents can then share their own clue on the Facebook group, which has already attracted 500 members.

Tammy said: "It's been lovely to see parents getting involved. We've had lots of people posting pictures of their children once they've found a book, and posting a clue once they've hidden them.

"I've had lots of messages from parents to say their children have been busy sorting out their old books they don't read anymore and helping to package them up.

"It's a great activity for the summer holidays."

Hiding places so far have included Brinton Park, Broadwaters Park, Springfield Park, the Wyre Forest Gruffalo Trail, and local doctors' surgeries.

Search Look for a Book Kidderminster and Surrounding Areas on Facebook to join.