Generous donations after an appeal have seen Ham Youth Centre restock its bookshelves with a huge range of titles for youngsters to read.

In June the centre and a children's publisher appealed via Richmond Nub News to businesses for £1,000.

Martina Malik of Usborne Publishing said the full amount was raised, with Usborne giving an additional £200.

Children helped to choose which books they wanted - and picked a variety from fiction to encyclopedias.

"Nothing gives me more pleasure than putting the right book into children's hands," Martina said.

Ham Youth Centre works with 11-19 year olds in Richmond and Kingston, offering affordable developmental activities for young people in their leisure time.

During lockdown it had to find innovative ways to continue supporting young people.

It carried out food deliveries, Zoom youth clubs and Instagram activities and thanks to the new stock the centre can now trial a virtual book club.

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