A BOX full of children’s books as part of a Little Free Libraries scheme newly opened in Baildon has been vandalised only ten days after the literacy project was started.

Bradford Bulls players handed out books to young and old at at the end of last month with the aim to promote reading by giving easy free access to donated books safely stored in two sturdy wooden boxes. One box of children’s titles was placed by the Southcliffe Drive play area and another box for adults has been placed outside the flats, adjacent to the play area.

But when ward councillor Debbie Davies’s son Charlie, went to swap a book, he found the box had been badly broken and books torn up and soaked by rain. The culprit is believed to be a seven-year-old boy.

“It was a real shame, it’s such a good idea and he was really disappointed,” said Cllr Davies (Con, Baildon).

The Little Free Libraries project in Baildon was developed by Baildon Community Link and social housing group Incommunities with the help of funding from Bradford Council’s Shipley Area Committee and the wooden boxes were made by some of Incommunities’ construction trainees.

Baildon Community Link treasurer Tom Gurney said the vandalised box had been taken away for repairs.

“We’re hoping to get the box repaired as soon as possible,” he said.

The first Little Free Library scheme outside London was opened in Windhill, Shipley, in March.