CURIOUS youngsters were treated to tales of adventure in a bid to rouse reading skills.

Pupils at Southmoor Pre-school in Abingdon sat for a special storytime with a professional entertainer, who performed book readings as part of National Storytelling Week.

Children, aged two to four, gathered cross-legged at the feet of eccentric performer Peter Optical, who read stories to eager ears and entertained them with guitar solos.

Jackie Taylor, manager at the school, said: "The children loved the session. Storytelling allows young people's imaginations to run wild and it has been a real treat for our pupils who listened intently to Peter’s tales. Reading and listening to stories are excellent ways to advance a child’s learning ability and foster a love of books."

She thanked housebuilder David Wilson Homes for organising the storytelling session, at the Ofsted-rated "outstanding" school in Laurel Drive.

The National Storytelling Society's storytelling week, which is now in its 16th year, ran from January 30 until February 6.

Rob Allen, sales director at David Wilson Homes, said: “We were delighted to support National Storytelling Week yet again. We actively promote local learning experiences such as these and were delighted to arrange Peter’s visit for the preschool.

"Family homes are at the heart of our nearby Orchard Gate development and we hope the campaign will encourage storytelling and promote reading as a key part of family life.”

The company recently built homes at its Orchard Gate estate, just north of Kingston Bagpuize.