Hardgate Primary pupils have been overwhelmed by the success of an appeal for new books.
Principal teacher Brogan Murray asked for donations in a bid to get the youngsters reading as the old ones were looking rather worn.
But she wasn’t expecting to receive more than 600 books — more than 10 times the number of pupils at the Haugh of Urr school.
Miss Brogan joked: “We don’t want any more! I was at a parent council meeting and said the books were looking old and tired and the children needed some encouraging to pick up a book and start reading.
“I asked if they could buy some new ones but at the end of the night one of the parents said there were probably a lot of books that weren’t needed and could be donated.
“The pupils made a list of books and authors they would like and I sent letters out to all the parents.
“One put it on the parent council Facebook group and it went crazy. It even ended up on the radio one day.
“People have been coming from far and wide, dropping off books as they passed.
“I had been looking for multiple copies so I could set up reading clubs. I’d been hoping mainly for primary five to primary seven but we’ve got the whole spread right through to primary one. The children are so excited.
As well as helping the current crop of children, the appeal has also helped former pupils reconnect with the school.
Miss Brogan added: “There have been lovely stories with former pupils coming to see us.
“Someone even brought a picture of their father from 1933 and his brothers who used to walk two miles to get to the school.”
