Baby twins sign up for Dolly Parton library

A NEW chapter brought not one but two reasons to celebrate Dolly's Imagination Library as the scheme's membership hit 10,000.

Little twins, Conor and Lois Plant, who are 14-weeks old, were the 10,000th and 10,001st youngsters to sign up to the scheme which sees a free book sent to members every month until their fifth birthday.

The aim of the library is to help children improve their literacy skills and encourage families to engage in reading.

The twins' mum Rachel, said: "Books aren't just about learning they are also a social occasion for a family to sit down and read and enjoy them.

"It makes you realise how important books are in this age of computers and video games."

The twins were welcomed onto the scheme at the Willow Tree Children Centre at Dalton last week when they were joined by Wentworth MP John Healey.

"This is an excellent scheme as anything that gets children interested in reading with parents and grandparents or carers is a great thing," he said. "We are leading the way again in Rotherham and I would like to see this scheme happening across the country."

In November 2007, Rotherham became the first area in the United Kingdom to sign up to the Imagination Library which is run by the Dollywood Foundation.

It is funded through donations from individuals, groups and organisations at a local and national level.

Cllr Shaun Wright, cabinet member for Children and Young People's Services, added: "Improving children's literacy rates is a key priority in Rotherham, and schemes such as this will help us achieve that aim.

"The benefits of improving reading and communication in families are being noticed by parents and carers, and they are joining the project in their thousands."