1,500 books were given to schoolchildren across East Cambridgeshire and Fenland as part of an annual reading campaign.

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Pupils in Littleport, Ely and Mepal were among those to receive new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's Read to Succeed campaign.

Ely Standard: Students at Highfield Academy with their new books thanks to the sixth year of MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Students at Highfield Academy with their new books thanks to the sixth year of MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

Read to Succeed was launched by the MP in 2016 – and has enjoyed spectacular success.

It was launched with the expectation that every year 4 pupil across the constituency will receive a new book, which in turn links to a host of programmes being run by local libraries during the school holiday.

Ely Standard: Students at Littleport Primary with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Students at Littleport Primary with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

He said the ethos of the campaign began when he realised that after visits to schools, he recognised that many children fail to make progress during the summer holiday, when they are out of school. Mr Barclay believes Read to Succeed can combat this.

Ely Standard: Students at Littleport Primary with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Students at Littleport Primary with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read six books of their choice throughout the school summer holiday and once completed, children will receive a certificate at an awards ceremony.

Ely Standard: Students at Littleport Primary with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Students at Littleport Primary with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

All books cover a wide range of abilities and interests so all children can enjoy the magic of reading.

Ely Standard: Students at Littleport Primary with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Students at Littleport Primary with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

Ely Standard: Students at Highfield Academy with their new books thanks to the sixth year of MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Students at Highfield Academy with their new books thanks to the sixth year of MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: Ian Carter)

Ely Standard: Mepal students with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Mepal students with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

Ely Standard: Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

Ely Standard: Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

Ely Standard: Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

Ely Standard: Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)

Ely Standard: Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign.Millfield Primary School students in Littleport with their new books thanks to MP Steve Barclay's annual Read to Succeed campaign. (Image: IAN CARTER)