LIBRARIES across the county are preparing to get reading as World Book Night approaches.

The annual celebration of reading and books is taking place on Wednesday, April 23, and sees passionate volunteers hand out free books in their own communities.

The event, which is run by The Reading Agency, aims to give everyone an equal chance to become a reader.

This year World Book Day is being celebrated at libraries around Worcestershire, with the flagship event for the whole of the West Midlands taking place at The Hive in Worcester.

There will be activities throughout the day, with workshops and a book signing with author Hayley Long from 10am until 4pm and the Hive World Book Night Games Circuit from 5pm until 9pm where there will the chance to meet a Worcester Warrior, take on an indoor rowing challenge and meet the players of Worcester City Football Club.

And from 4.30pm until 6pm, The Hive Film Society presents The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

Droitwich Library will welcome local author Carmen Capuano, who will be signing books, from 10am and at 2pmyoung people's authors from The Edge will be at the event. These are free events but booking is essential.

Over at Evesham Library there is lots going on with author Annie Murray giving a talk from 2.30pm at £3 a ticket and from 7.30pm to 8.30pm Lindsay Stanberry-Flynn will also be giving and author talk, tickets are £2 each.

The next day, Thursday, April 24, from noon until 1pm there will be a free storytelling session with Wolfren Riverstick for children aged six to 11 years.

At the Woodrow Library in Redditch from 5pm until 6.30pm there will be a Books Fizz event where staff will donate books to visitors.

And Warndon Library will welcome author Lindsey Stanberry Flynn on Friday, April 25, for a belated celebration between 10am and 12 noon.

Kathy Kirk, Strategic Libraries & Learning Manager from Worcestershire County Council said: "Worcestershire has really great libraries with a fantastic selection of books, but more than that our libraries offer a wide variety of activities and opportunities to meet and be inspired about stories and storytelling."

Further information regarding World Book Night at any of the Worcestershire County Council Libraries can be found at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/librariesandlearning or call 01905 822722.