A TEA party held to boost reading was a sight to behold at a Helensburgh opticians recently.

Dozens of people turned out at Boots Opticians, on West Princes Street, as it hosted a Tales and Teapots fundraiser in aid of the National Literacy Trust.

The store pulled out all the stops with stickers, fairy cakes, tea and stories to keep those who attended entertained.

Staff also held a raffle to let people test their luck and staff at the store were delighted with the turnout with around 22 people attending on the day.

The fundraiser was part of a national drive to promote the love of reading while helping to give disadvantaged children across the UK the literacy skills they need to succeed.

Carolyn Aitken, from Boots Opticians in Helensburgh, told the Advertiser: “People who attended said that they really liked the idea to raise money to help children read in the disadvantaged areas in the UK.

“They loved the raffle tickets too.

“We were pleased with the turnout but I guess we could have had more children attending the storytelling sessions.

“The most popular book was The Smartest Giant in Town.”

The raffle proved popular and boosted the money raised on the day to almost £50.

Carolyn, who is also a Literacy Trust volunteer, runs an Early Years reading group at Helensburgh library every Friday at 3pm and says the best thing is seeing toddlers go along who are really interested in books.

To find out more about the Literacy Trust and the work they do visit www.literacytrust.org.uk.

And for information about the classes run by Carolyn in Helensburgh Library visit www.facebook.com/literacyhelensburgh.