Families across Stoke-on-Trent are invited to attend parks across the city for free storytelling events over the summer holidays.

The National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent's Tales in the Park series will return for its fifth year, providing free, accessible storytelling events for children aged 0-13.

As well as storytellers, each event will feature a range of activities including pop-up sports, crafts, circus skills, a bouncy castle and facepainting. Accessible activities and quieter spaces will also be available.

Thanks to support from HarperCollins, children who attend Tales in the Park will be gifted a free book to take home, while stocks last.

Lois Bateman, Manager for the National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent, said: "Tales in the Park is all about bringing families together to enjoy stories, have fun and make special memories during the summer holidays.

"We know that children are more likely to develop a love of reading when it feels enjoyable and connects with the things that interest them.

"Every year, it's wonderful to see our city's parks filled with families discovering new books and sharing stories together. Last year, more than 5,000 people joined us, we gave away over 3,300 books and supported nearly 600 new library sign-ups.

"We're excited to celebrate our fifth year and can't wait to welcome families back for another fantastic summer."

This year's events fall in the National Year of Reading, a campaign that champions the power of reading to help children get more out of the things they love.

Tales in the Park aims to inspire a love of reading by connecting stories to popular interests such as sport, creativity, superheroes and adventure.

Recent research from the National Literacy Trust shows that only a third of children and young people (34.4 per cent) aged eight to 18 in the West Midlands reported enjoying reading in their free time .

Additionally, research revealed that across the region one in 10 children say that they do not have a book of their own at home.

Tales in the Park is delivered by the National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent Libraries, who will bring their Little Library Van so that families can register for library membership and find out about reading activities across the year.

The festival is also supported by local businesses and organisations such as PH Production Services Ltd, Synectic Solutions, Chatty Duck, Burslem Rotary and local councillors.

Peter Herbert, Managing Director of PH Production Services, said: "We're proud to support Tales in the Park and help more local children and families discover the joy of reading.

"As a parent and emergency foster carer, I've seen first-hand just how powerful books can be in helping children process emotions, discover new ideas and simply enjoy being children. Reading opens doors, encourages curiosity and gives young people opportunities that stay with them for life."

Lauren Oakley, Learning and Engagement Coordinator at Synectic Solutions Limited, added: "We're delighted to be sponsoring Tales in the Park.

"Inspiring children to discover the joy of reading and encouraging families to share stories together is a fantastic mission, and we're proud to support an event that makes such a positive difference."

Tales in the Park will take place from 11am – 3pm, on the following dates:

• Tunstall Park on Tuesday 28 July
• Hanley Park on Friday 31 July
• Yeaman Street Recreation Ground on Tuesday 4 August
• Fenton Park on Friday 7 August
• Longton Park on Tuesday 11 August
• Burslem Park on Friday 14 August

The events are free to attend with no pre-booking required.

For more information and updates, visit the National Literacy Trust in Stoke's Facebook here.