BLACKWELL’S bookshop in Oxford is asking customers this Christmas to buy books for children they don’t even know.

The Broad Street book seller has asked national charity The Children’s Society for the names of children, along with their ages and interests.

A tag such as “Seven-year-old likes dinosaurs” is then hung on the tree and customers can buy a book, and staff will wrap it.

Four children’s authors with an Oxford connection have backed the campaign encouraging children to read more.

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Robin Stevens, who lives in Cambridge but grew up in Oxford, said: “It is something I have supported for a couple of years.

“It is so important to get kids access to books and it is getting harder and harder for them to access libraries.

“Books give children the tools to become part of the literate, adult workforce, but they also give them the tools to imagine and explore ideas.”

The campaign, now in its third year, will run up to Christmas. People can also support it online at blackwell.co.uk/oxford

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