A school on the outskirts of Norwich is proving to be a popular breeding ground for bookworms after an extra mobile library stop was added so pupils and parents can experience the joy of reading.

Pupils at Spixworth Infant School on Ivy Road are already served with a school library but used to miss out on the mobile library service as it called when they were at school.

Headteacher Cashy Smith wanted to give children in Spixworth, who have to go to either Sprowston or Norwich to access a library outside school, the chance to enjoy other books being offered as part of the service run by Norfolk County Council.

The school contacted the council's mobile library service who have since altered the visiting schedule to accommodate an extra stop at the school every second Wednesday, meaning parents and pupils can now broaden their minds by reading.

Mrs Smith said: 'I've been wanting for some time for it to come to the school because it comes to the village when the children are at school so they don't get the chance to access it.

'It seemed a shame that it came to the village but couldn't call at the school.

'It's now coming once a fortnight so that's brilliant. We were delighted with that; it's really to promote more ways of reading. Reading is very important.'

Mrs Smith said the mobile library service had called a few times already this year and had been well used by both pupils and parents alike.

She said: 'It comes from 3pm until 3.40pm. The last time it came it proved very popular and quite a few children joined. The library is also there for parents.'

James Carswell, cabinet member for culture services at Norfolk County Council, said: 'We want to encourage as many people as possible to access Norfolk's libraries and this includes making sure our mobile libraries call in the areas where they will have the most benefit and get the most use.

'The mobile libraries team has been working closely with Spixworth Infant School to look at how the library can better support the school and children within the community.

'This has included adding an additional stop on the mobile library route, with the library now stopping outside the school between 3pm and 3.40pm every other Wednesday.

'The first visit attracted 25 new members and has given parents and carers in the community extra opportunities to visit the library with their children and support them to explore and enjoy books.

'There has been slight adjustments to the other stops on the Spixworth route but all the stops have been maintained and the library continues to stay in the village for the whole day.'

To find out more about libraries in Norfolk, log on to www.norfolk.gov.uk/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/Branch_libraries/index.htm

Have you got a community story for the Evening News? Call Evening News reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk