NEARLY half a million books will be given out for free across Scotland as pupils in primary one to three take part in the eighth annual Book Week.

Primary one pupils from Simpson Primary School, Bathgate, joined Bookbug at Spring distribution centre to mark the event, run by the Scottish Book Trust in collaboration with the Scottish Government.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said he was “delighted” to see so many books given out.

He added: “We know that parental engagement has a significant impact on children’s academic achievement and I hope our gift bags will spark a lifelong love and appreciation of books and numbers for those receiving them.”

The annual Book Week Scotland event began yesterday and concludes on Sunday.