Children in the two youngest years at Devizes School have read more than 10 million words since the start of term as part of a new initiative to get more pupils to enjoy reading.

The school has launched its Drop Everything And Read strategy which means the whole school spends 20 minutes every Wednesday reading.

In addition to this the Year 7 and 8 pupils are taking part in an accelerated reader programme.

Learning resource centre assistant Emily Eagle said: “The programme requires students to take an online quiz to test their comprehension once they finish their reading book. This combination of technology and books is something that students are responding positively to.”