Historian and broadcaster David Starkey has made a plea for head teachers in Kent and Medway to take advantage of a leading literacy scheme for schools.

The columnist, radio and television presenter is backing the home reading initiative Buster’s Book Club, developed by the charity department of the KM Group.

The scheme, which launched in January this year following a successful pilot, sets pupils an individual home reading target and a series of reading challenges throughout the year culminating in an annual record attempt.

Mr Starkey said: "The KM Charity Team's home reading initiative achieved a remarkable milestone with two million minutes of reading achieved last academic year.

“The key to the scheme's success is encouraging parents to support their children's reading at home, but supported by inter-class and inter-school reading challenges. I would encourage head teachers to take a serious look at what this initiative has to offer."

Children are kept enthused by incentives such as stickers, charts, trophies and competitions. Prizes include book hampers or tickets to leisure attractions Leeds Castle or Silver Blades ice rink. One of the top prizes next year will be a storytelling visit by Phil Gallagher, better known as CBeebies’ Mister Maker.

Organisations supporting the scheme have enabled the KM Charity Team to offer a significant discount to schools. These include Kent County Council, Medway Council, Circle Housing Russet, Orbit South, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Mini Babybel, Leeds Castle and Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes).

Schools joining Buster’s Book Club by Thursday, December 17 will pay less than half price per class and receive 30 child entry vouchers for Kent leisure attraction Canterbury Tales.

For more information or to register, visit www.bustersbookclub.co.uk.