Children across Scotland are being encouraged to sign up for a reading challenge to raise money for environmental projects.

The “ScottishPower Story Swap” encourages youngsters to recycle their books by swapping them with class mates for a fee of 50p per book.

All money raised goes to Friends of the Earth Scotland, and every school that enters stands a chance of winning a visit from an author appearing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Last year’s winner, the Community School of Auchterarder, won an exclusive visit from popular author Andy Stanton.

Speaking at this year’s launch, ScottishPower Group sponsorships manager, Heather McDonald, said: “We were really encouraged by the response we got last year, from teachers as well as from pupils”.

All schools have to do to take part in the competition is to hold a book swap before the end of the summer term.

Schools should register before May 14: T 0141 333 95985, 07876021367

E eva.swanson@bigpartnership.co.uk.