Heartwarming virtual bedtime stories a hit as hundreds of Burnley families tune in

Families across Burnley have been tuning in to watch a series of virtual bedtime stories being read by a group of volunteers.
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And the first story from the Ightenhill Park Little Free Library storytime project was dedicated to Dorothy Pilkington, who recently died at the age of 81.

Bekki Slater, who is mum to Theo (seven), five-year-old Olly and Sonny, who will be six weeks old on Thursday, read Guess How Much I Love You? The touching story was a family favourite that Dorothy used to enjoy reading to her grandsons.

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When Dorothy's family heard about the project they donated several books and were very moved when the first one was read in her honour.

Lydia Cooke is the first young reader at the Little Free Library bedtime story projectLydia Cooke is the first young reader at the Little Free Library bedtime story project
Lydia Cooke is the first young reader at the Little Free Library bedtime story project

Volunteers of all ages have come forward to read a bedtime story which viewers can watch on the Ightenhill Park Little Free Library facebook page.

And the stories are going down a treat, clocking up around 200 views or more each.

Lydia Cooke, who is only eight, was the first young reader and she chose to read the book Bee My Friend and Lesley Anne Mulrooney dressed up as a witch to read Room On the Broom on Hallowe'en. And grandmother and actress Barbara Ashworth is also preparing to become a reader.

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The storytime idea came from Suzanne Smith who launched the little free library in Ightenhill Park last year.

Volunteer reader Bekki Slater prepares to read Guess How Much I Love You? the first story dedicated to the memory of Dorothy PilkingtonVolunteer reader Bekki Slater prepares to read Guess How Much I Love You? the first story dedicated to the memory of Dorothy Pilkington
Volunteer reader Bekki Slater prepares to read Guess How Much I Love You? the first story dedicated to the memory of Dorothy Pilkington

Passionate about books and encouraging youngsters to read, Suzanne came up with the idea of making use of a plastic cabinet that had been gathering dust in her garage.

It was transformed into the library and installed in the park to give children the chance to borrow, donate and swap books. The project was a hit and even when vandals trashed the little library last year it came back bigger and better than ever.

A new one was custom made free of charge by Simonstone based JBI Engineering. Local resident Warren Hill came forward with the kind gesture. New groundwork was laid by some of the Friends of Ightenhill Park' volunteers, funded with the help of Gannow Big Local.

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Morrisons store in Nelson donated a selection of books for the library thanks to Kirsty Carter who lives in Ightenhill but works at the store.

Dorothy Pilkington, whose recently died at the age of 81, had the first story dedicated to her memoryDorothy Pilkington, whose recently died at the age of 81, had the first story dedicated to her memory
Dorothy Pilkington, whose recently died at the age of 81, had the first story dedicated to her memory

Suzanne said: "I just thought it would be a nice idea for children and their families to sit down together and listen to a story.

"Anyone can watch the stories and we have had a good response from residents and also community groups and emergency service workers who have volunteered their story telling skills."

Along with stories for little ones to help get them settled in the evenings Suzanne is hoping to include stories for teenagers and she is also considering readings of books on the exam syllabus to help students.

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