CARE home residents have been reading well-known bedtime stories to school children as part of a nationwide initiative to celebrate National Storytelling Week.

Care UK's Colne View, in Halstead, was visited by children from the town’s Park Pre-School.

Tall tales included favourites like The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson and The Truth According to Arthur by Tim Hopgood.

To celebrate National Storytelling Week, Care UK has created the Bedtime Stories initiative, which sees residents across the UK read classic bedtime stories to young children.

The campaign, which includes the launch of four free videos of residents reading well-known stories, ensures children who may not have a grandparent do not miss out on a magical tale before bedtime.

At Colne View, 90-year-old resident Jean Sullivan read The Smartest Giant in Town to a group of three children.

She said: “I really enjoyed reading to the children – it reminded me of when I used to read to my own children when they were much younger.”

Home manager Monica Boldeata said: “We’ve had a wonderful week of storytelling here at Colne View.

“Whether it’s Peter Pan flying us to Neverland or Alice taking us down the rabbit hole, children’s literature is often the first key to unlocking our imaginations and nurturing a lifelong love of reading – so it was great to visit the children at Park Pre-School.

“We all remember stories told to us as children, often before bedtime, and find comfort in adulthood in these memories.

“Unfortunately, we know this isn’t the case for all children, so we wanted to provide an alternate experience for Halstead children who may not be lucky enough to have someone to read to them.

“Intergenerational relationships and initiatives, like bedtime stories, can be incredibly beneficial to both younger and older people alike and can provide residents with a sense of wellbeing and purpose.

“It has been heart-warming to see the residents share stories from their own childhood and read a number of newer stories like The Smartest Giant in Town with the children.

“We look forward to visiting the children from Park Pre-School again soon.”