A SCHOOL in an Oxfordshire town was gifted £200 from a housebuilder which will be used to buy new books.

World Book Day celebrations at Hanwell Fields Community School in Banbury were boosted by a donation from Taylor Wimpey.

Now in its 23rd year, World Book Day aims to encourage children of all ages to enjoy and appreciate the pleasures of reading.

ALSO READ: Oxford school marks World Book Day

Children usually dress up as their book characters for school and share their favourite stories.

Caroline Bond, headteacher at Hanwell Fields Community School, said: “World Book Day is a fantastic initiative which really encourages children to develop their reading.

"Thanks to Taylor Wimpey’s donation, we’ll be able to add some new books to our library and we can’t wait for our pupils to get stuck into some new stories.”

Danielle Heard, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire, said: “We were delighted to support Hanwell Fields Community School with a donation to mark World Book Day.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus fears shut Long Wittenham and Gillotts schools

"We hope the pupils had a brilliant day celebrating their favourite characters and that they all enjoy reading some new books together.”

The World Book Day donation to the school is one of many ways in which Taylor Wimpey is supporting the local communities.

Many people got involved with World Book Day including Blenheim Palace which did a 16-year restoration of thousands of rare volumes in The Long Library.