THE relaunch of children's reading groups across the borough will be marked with a special talk by a popular local author.

The meetings - which are currently held in nine of the borough's library's - have been renamed as Chatterbooks groups in line with the nationally recognised scheme.

Children's author Joe Layburn will mark the relaunch with a visit to Hainault library on Monday (January 18) where he will speak about his first book, Ghostscape.

A council spokeswoman said: "The move means all of the children's reading groups will now operate under the nationally recognised scheme with all children who join receiving a Chatterbooks backpack including stickers and a reading diary.

"Nine of the borough's libraries now run Chatterbooks reading groups for different age groups which including a recently launched reading group at Woodford Green library for six to twelve year olds.

"For more information on a group in your area, contact your local library or visit Redbridge i redbridge.gov.uk.

"(Mr Layburn's) talk will take place at 4.45pm for all members of the library's two Chatterbooks groups."