Parents are being encouraged to teach toddlers to enjoy books by joining a new scheme at Oxfordshire libraries.

Certificates illustrated by some of the country's best-known children's artists are up for grabs as part of the Oxfordshire Bookstart Book Crawl initiative.

The Book Crawl is designed to encourage parents and carers to bring babies and children aged under five to join the library.

Each time they visit the library they will receive a special book crawl sticker to stick on a collection card.

Five stickers will qualify them for a certificate. The line-up of illustrators includes Tony Ross, Jane Ray, Nick Sharratt, Jan Ormerod, and Claire Mackie.

Bookstart is a national programme which encourages all parents and carers to introduce children to books at a very young age.

Oxfordshire County Council's executive member for libraries Don Seale said: "Bookstart is an excellent scheme, promoting a love of reading and story-telling among young children.

"Reading books to children doesn't have to be expensive. Oxfordshire's libraries contain a wealth of fiction and non-fiction suitable for every age group - and it's free. Many of our libraries also host events and activities specially for children."