Youngsters in Sheerness are among the few in the UK who are getting a head start in reading thanks to Dolly Parton.

The country music star developed her Imagination Library in Sevier County, Tennessee – launching it in the UK in 2007.

It provides free books to children from birth to five and is being offered at the Seashells Children and Families’ Centre.

Dolly was one of 12 children and her poverty-stricken family included many relatives who couldn’t read and write, including her own father, Robert, who is the inspiration for the scheme.

Seashells in Rose Street is one of just eight centres in England offering the books, which include classics such as Peter Rabbit and Spot the Dog through to modern favourites like Angelina Ballerina and Charlie and Lola.

Kate Townsend-Blazier, Sure-Start books worker at the centre, said: “We register newborns for the scheme and it allows them to build up their own little library.

“The parents think it’s fantastic and many of them bring their children to the group we hold in Sheerness Library.

"It’s great to be able to offer the Imagination Library and we get inquires from parents in other areas wanting to join, but we are only able to offer it to children here.”

Books are supplied by Penguin for a huge discount and the scheme is administered by the Dollywood Foundation.

Natalie Turnbull, regional director of the foundation’s UK branch, said: “Every month a free book is delivered to children through the post and it is addressed to the child.

"The books are all brand new and appropriate to the child’s stage of development.

“The scheme in Sheerness is quite small, with about 30 children signed up to it and we would really like to see it grow across the Island.”

• For details contact Ms Turnbull on 07984 346592.