A LIBRARY on wheels has rolled into a Cowley school leaving young readers and their teachers beaming with joy.

Youngsters at St Francis CofE School had been left without their own library for almost two years before Oxford Bus Company stepped in to save the day.

The travel operator decided to convert one of its buses for free, delighting pupils, parents and staff who welcomed it into the school grounds last Friday.

Early Years teacher Lucy Crick, who helped drive the project, said she could not wait to see young smiling faces when the refitted and refurbished bus arrived at the Horspath Road school.

She added: "Not having the space for a proper library has been a challenge for St Francis for many years.

"The library bus has not just solved this problem, but is giving children of all ages the chance to get excited about reading. It has been a great project to work on."

The school’s 310 pupils were left without a dedicated library after their reading area was converted into "much-needed" storage space in the summer of 2014.

Classrooms and corridors were filled with books while the school searched for a solution to its problem.

A group of parents, governors and staff united with the bus company last October to bring the project to life, with £4,500 raised through donations, funding applications and cake sales.

Project leader and parent governor Fran Mundin said it was "amazing" watching the bus roll into the school.

It will be decorated inside with artwork crafted by pupils and has been fitted with heating, lighting and power points.

Mrs Mundin added: "It was absolutely fantastic. I’m not sure I have ever seen so many excited, screaming children as when the bus came in.

"It’s been a lot of hard work to get to this point and it will be a lot of hard work in the future but it’s been a real journey and to see it moving was really special.

"We couldn’t have done this without the support in particular from Oxford Bus Company, who have been absolutely fantastic. We have been genuinely touched by the support we have received – it has been a real community effort."

Blackwell’s Bookshop has lent its support to the school and will launch a campaign next month to fill the bus by donating a book for each one bought for the new library.

Year 6 pupil Hanan Al-Munir said: “It was really exciting. It’s decorated really nicely. It’s colourful and big chairs and tables are now inside. I thought it would just be like a normal bus.”

The campaign will run until week-long celebration of reading at the school from July 4.