YOUNG children and families can look forward to a swashbuckling day of family fun tomorrow (Friday October 10) to celebrate National Bookstart Day.

Organised as part of Children’s Book Week, National Bookstart Day aims to help every child develop a lifelong love of books - and this year’s theme Pirates Ahoy promises to entertain both parents and children alike.

Nursery children will be able to listen to pirate stories at Stourbridge Library, where storyteller Julie Cooper will be performing pirate tales from 11am.

The activity day is free and all children will receive a free copy of the book as part of the programme.

Councillor Michael Evans, Dudley’s cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: “This is a fantastic theme for this year’s celebrations and highlights just how much fun reading and a little imagination can bring.”

The event at Stourbridge Library is just one a host of pirate themed fun-days taking place at libraries across the borough this week.

Library staff will also be visiting Dudley Zoo to promote Bookstart on Saturday October 11 from 11am to 4pm - urging more people to join the library service.

For further information about the national programme call 020 8875 4583 or go to www.bookstart.org.uk To find out more about activities in Dudley call Lesley Williamson on 01384 812870.