Reigart has donated £500 to help widen the reach of Linstone’s “Imagination Library” project.

Reigart carried out demolition work recently for Linstone and undertook to help projects within the local community as part of its contract.

The Imagination Library is an innovative initiative run by music superstar Dolly Parton. It has been a runaway success elsewhere in the UK and in the US, Canada and Australia and a number of Scottish housing associations are involved.

Youngsters who are signed up to the scheme receive a free book up to their fifth birthday – all in an effort to inspire a love of reading and increase literacy skills among the very young.

Linstone joined the scheme and now says the £500 from Reigart will help it extend the library to families who are tenants of the association in Renfrewshire.

Welcoming the news, Linstone chief executive Adele Fraser thanked Reigart based in Coatbridge for doing its bit to help literacy among the under 5s.

She said: “We will be put this money to good use and intend to extend the reach of the Imagination Library which means more youngsters will be signed up to the free scheme and will receive a book each month until they are five.

“We know that having access to books from a young age is important and can have a positive impact for a child such as developing language skills and improved concentration. It is another example of us working together to help the community.”

A spokesperson for Reigart said: “We are aware of the excellent work which Linstone carries out in the communities where the Association has its homes.

“Getting youngsters into the habit of reading and nurturing a love of books is vital to their development. We also recognise that investing in young people is really important and believe the Imagination Library is a great way to support our pre-schoolers. We are pleased to be helping with this vital initiative.”

So far 20 Linstone families have been signed up since the library was launched a few months ago. There will now be an effort to invite more families to participate.