The Lister Hospital has received £700 from a kind bookseller intended to buy books for children's wards.

The busy hospital in Stevenage that treats many thousands of people from our area including Hitchin and across North Herts, will put the money to good use to help boost children's reading.

Bookseller Katie Luckett, of Katie's Book Barn has raised a total of £700 to buy books for the children's wards at Lister Hospital in Stevenage.

Katie was inspired to raise funds for Usbourne books as her daughter has been admitted to the hospital on many occasions due to complex health conditions.

Katie said: "I would like to give back something for other children to enjoy and the more resources available for children the better."

Katie's Book Barn is an independent Usborne seller specialising in a range of fun, educational and interactive books.

Having books and games helped pass the time and kept her daughter distracted while she was being cared for.

Eloise Huddleston, director of East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity, added: "Thank you so much to Katie for raising funds to buy books for our children's wards.

"These books will make a huge difference by keeping children entertained and relaxed while they are being treated in hospital."