A nationwide campervan tour to inspire young readers is coming to Brighton.

It is part of the Raise a Reader campaign, led by Oxford University Press, which aims to get children to become lifelong readers.

The tour begins next week, and the campervan will visit ten locations across England with lower levels of literacy.

The Argus: Lewes author Leigh Hodgkinson will be involved in the dayLewes author Leigh Hodgkinson will be involved in the day (Image: Leigh Hodgkinson)

Oxford University Press have joined forces with Lewes author and illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson to host events in Brighton and Hove.

“Raising children to be readers is of the utmost importance,” Leigh said.

“Reading gives a child lifelong curiosity and nurtures independent and critical thinking.”

The Raise a Reader campaign was announced last month and is a three-year initiative to get children into reading after the pandemic caused disruption to their learning.

Leigh said: “It is completely magical that books can help us look at things from different perspectives.”

Leigh said a child who reads will become an adult who is “hopeful” and “compassionate.”

The Argus: The caravan is touring ten different cities in the UKThe caravan is touring ten different cities in the UK (Image: OUP)

The van is packed with free books and reading resources and will be in Brighton and Hove on Tuesday, November 1.

Leigh will visit pupils at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Brighton.

In Hove, the Book Nook will also host a range of reading activities from 10.30am to 11.30am.