Angela embraced her love of literature as she helped to launch the Summer Reading Challenge.

Angela visited South Failsworth Primary School where she met Headteacher Vicki Foy, Emma Braithwaite from The Reading Agency and Subnum Hariff-Khan, Head of Heritage and Libraries in Oldham.

They discussed the Summer Reading Challenge, which encourages children aged 4-11 to read six books over the school holidays to counteract the ‘summer slide’ in their reading development.

Teachers of children who have taken part in previous schemes reported better participation and attainment, a boost to mental wellbeing and better engagement with reading and writing tasks.

Angela then read to the school’s youngest pupils before hosting a Q&A session where they asked her about her life as an MP.

The programme is accompanied by a series of free events, such as craft sessions, guided heritage trails and storytelling at libraries across Oldham over the school holidays. These can all be viewed and booked at www.oldham.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge or by calling 0161-770 8000.

Angela said: “Reading was a great escape for me as a child and although it wasn’t my favourite activity I did enjoy harnessing the power of books to take my mind wherever I wanted to go.

“The benefits of the Summer Reading Challenge are clear to see and I hope the programme of free events will help bring people together to learn in a fun way.”