Swindon super mum Melinda Messenger was at West Swindon Library yesterday to lend her support to a national books-for-babies programme.

The Mum of the Year 2005 popped in to the library, in the West Swindon Centre, on National Bookstart Day to tell more than 100 parents and toddlers of the benefits of the programme, which aims to get children interested in books at an early age.

She said: "Bookstart is such a wonderful initiative. It gives parents such a great opportunity for parents to sit down and chat with their kids on an evening, especially when things in the house can be so chaotic.

"All my children have benefited from it they enjoy it so much more than watching television."

Melinda said that she was particularly pleased that the children's book Mr Bear is included in the initiative, as she has read the book with her three children Morgan, 3, Flynn, 2, and three-month old Evie.

To celebrate National Bookstart Day, Melinda cut a special cake, before being presented with a Bookstart pack by librarian Robin Griffiths.

At 10.30am on the dot the group sang six nursery rhymes, which were sung simultaneously in libraries across the country which were also celebrating the event.

West Swindon librarian Robin Griffiths said: "We celebrate National Bookstart Day here every year, but to have someone like Melinda lend a hand has made the day really special."

Melinda was voted Chatterbox Challenge's Mum of the Year this year. The initiative is part of the I CAN charity, which helps children with speech and language difficulties.