To encourage parents and young children to read together, the club will continue the Literacy Project, which was first introduced twelve months ago as a combined Rotary initiative.

Last year around 80 books were distributed to Stawell newborns on behalf of the initiative which ended last month. Stawell Rotary have decided to continue the initiative as a club project.

Former club president, Rotarian Barry Marrow said it was important for children to take an interest in books from a young age.

``We want to make parents aware that children are never too young to start reading,'' he said.

``They can start from when they are first born by becoming familiar with books and looking at the pictures.

``All the books we hand out are brightly coloured and have lots of pictures in them.''

In addition to supplying each newborn with a book, Rotary are providing parents with advice on how to encourage young children to read.

Pamphlets have been designed to help parents introduce books to younger children and make reading an enjoyable experience.

Mr Marrow said that 20 books had already been handed out since the club decided to continue the project.

``It's a really valuable program and we've had around 20 books given out since we took it up again,'' he said.

``It's never too young to learn and it's important that young people grow up with books.''