Rachael Dykes with one of her favourite books

The Wheatley Foundation teamed up with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to help children in its communities develop their reading skills.

The scheme – set up by the singer – sees children under five sent a specially-chosen book free of charge every month until their fifth birthday.

A total of 647 toddlers from Wheatley homes are signed up to the scheme – with 7,885 delivered since the project started.

Tenants are loving the opportunities it opens up for their youngsters.

Hazel Dykes, 41, from Scotstoun in Glasgow, signed up her two-year-old daughter Rachael to the scheme six months ago.

Hazel said: “Rachael loves the idea of sitting on my knee and reading and looking at pictures.

“It’s real quality time without modern technology getting in the way. She’s learning new words and learning to concentrate.

“Reading is so important. It’s giving her a head start for when she starts school later.”

Lorraine McLaren, director of Wheatley Foundation, added: “The Imagination Library is a great way of introducing toddlers to the joys of reading.

“As well as increasing opportunities for children in later life, it really encourages regular family time too.”