DOZENS of books can be taken by youngsters thanks to an initiative encouraging children to enjoy reading.

The Book Barn has been created at Dunbar’s Lauderdale Park with the aim of encouraging youngsters to expand their imagination.

The project, which was unveiled in June, has already attracted plenty of families and youngsters to the park.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of Dunbar Community Council, said that a project encouraging people “to engage with books” could only be a good thing.

She told the Courier: “We are trying to show that books are not scary and to make it easy for children to pick up a book.

“We are trying to make it so the children will see other children taking books; the Book Barn is right next to the play park.

“We are hoping it will be used not just by children who already know and understand books but by children who have not found it so easy to have books.

“The other day, there was a family who said they made a special trip to come to Dunbar to go to the Book Barn.”

The Book Barn has been a popular addition to Dunbar's Lauderdale Park

Mrs Swan has been joined by fellow community councillor Rena Keller in ensuring the scheme becomes a reality.

The community council chairwoman also thanked the team from Wishing Tree by the Sea – the cafe in the park – for their help in keeping an eye on the project.

Feedback since the project was launched was described as “phenomenal”.

Mrs Swan said: “It all stemmed from my reading articles in the press.

“There was a lot of coverage last year and a project from the Scottish Book Trust, which was saying that there were a significant percentage of children who did not have books at home.

“While we completely appreciate children can get books from the library and borrow from school, we did not think it was the same as children building their own collection in their house.

“It stemmed from that and the Book Barn idea was just us thinking what shape would be fun and how do we make it accessible.”

The Book Barn will mainly feature books aimed at youngsters taking their first steps on their reading journey.

Zero Waste Dunbar has provided books, while Belhaven Hill School has also lent a hand in stocking the mini library.

While youngsters are encouraged to take books, they are also welcome to return them or donate books they no longer want.

East Lothian Council offered its labour for the scheme, while funding was also provided by the community council’s own funds.

Mrs Swan said: “The feedback we have had has been phenomenal.

“We have had lots and lots of lovely messages, and lots of nice chats on social media.

“Bev Anderson at Wishing Tree by the Sea is getting lots of lovely feedback and we have noticed things like dads sitting and reading with their children in the park.

“We always hoped children would take books away and build their own little library at home.”