New electric library bus launched in Leicester

The new book bus is stocked with more than 1,000 books and will visit communities and festivals around the city

A city's diesel-fuelled mobile library has been replaced by a new electric book bus.

Leicester City Council has stocked the new vehicle with more than 1,000 books.

It will travel around parts of the city, including Eyres Monsell, Thurnby Lodge, Braunstone and Beaumont Leys.

The vehicle was unveiled at Braunstone Community Primary School on Thursday.

Roman and Ehab, both 11, said they loved the variety of books

Deputy city mayor Sarah Russell said: “By delivering library services to the heart of communities, we can reach those who may not be able to visit their local library."

Braunstone Community Primary School pupil Ehab, 11, was one of the first to step on the bus.

"I like that it's electric powered, " he said. "There's way more selections of books to choose from."

Fellow pupil Roman, also 11, said: "This is a paradise for me. It's escaping the real world to go to one of the imaginary ones. "

Seven-year-old Josh, who visited the old book bus every week, said: "Some people don't have enough money to actually buy books to read so it's good that we have a book bus to go on to get books for free."

Children from Braunstone Community Primary School cut the red ribbon to launch the bus