A CBEEBIES presenter is set to launch a city’s very first Little Free Library today.

The library comes to Norfolk Square, on the border of Brighton and Hove, from 11am with storytelling by Cbeebies presenter Sid Sloane and others.

Michelle Pauli, who dreamed up the idea and is donating the initial stock of books, said: “The idea of a Little Free Library will inspire anyone with a fondness for books.

“I love the idea of children and families making a point of passing through Norfolk Square regularly, stopping by to drop off books they’ve finished, seeing if new books have been added and sitting on little tree trunk seats to browse through them and explore their stories and illustrations.

“Nestling between the trees, it has an enchanted feel to it.”

The colourful beach hut-shaped wooden box, on a plinth in the middle of the square, will stock free children’s books with the invitation to “take a book, leave a book”.

Children and families will be encouraged to browse the books, borrow any that take their fancy and even stay and read the books together in a new reading area to be installed near the library.

Anybody can share a children’s book by leaving it in the library for others to enjoy.

Little Free Libraries started in the US in 2009 and there are now tens of thousands across the world, all aiming to encourage reading and a love of books.

During City Reads earlier this year, Brighton Festival and Quercus collaborated to provide the city with book swap boxes, however the Little Free Library is the first permanent box in Brighton and Hove.

Norfolk Square’s Little Free Library is part of an ongoing project by Norfolk Square’s residents and neighbours to bring a sense of fun and community into the square.

Damian McGee, chairman of the Norfolk Square Group, was on board with the project straight away. He said: “We thought the Little Free Library was a great idea as soon as we heard about it.

“We want to encourage families to take regular trips to the square, to make the library part of their routine as they stroll down to the seafront or up to the shops.

“We are keen to build a real sense of community and ownership around our Little Free Library and the square, and to see more families enjoying it.”

The library was designed and built by local resident Stuart Heath and decorated with artwork designed by Susannah Dowse of Dowse Studio and Shop on Western Road.

For more details visit www.facebook.com/kidslittlelibrary