BRADFORD Libraries has teamed up with 14 local authorities across the country to offer families an exciting, engaging and free programme of virtual entertainment experiences.

Children aged three and over and their families can join a programme featuring online activities and storytelling sessions held by drama facilitator John Kirk, who will take participants to far-off places with classic fairy and folk tales.

Children will be encouraged to participate in virtual scavenger hunts - remote games where players scramble to find items or fulfil challenges before time runs out.

The programme includes 12 sessions, two per month, starting on Saturday, 2 October at 10am and 11am.

The first session is a story hunt travel adventure taking children deep into the ‘Enchanted Forest’.

The following sessions run at 10am and 11am on:

  • 13 November - Pirates
  • 11 December - Mystery Theme
  • 8 January - Space
  • 12 February - Music
  • 5 March - World Book Day

To book, go to Bradford Libraries Facebook page and click on the John Kirk Enchanted Story Hunt event.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder, said: “These fun virtual storytelling sessions will be a great way to start an adventure online, and now that Bradford Libraries are open, they can continue inside any of our libraries.

“Interactive storytelling sessions are a great way to stimulate young minds and provide an important stimulus for children’s development, so we hope families will make the most of them.”

John Kirk specialises in working with young people across Britain’s libraries, schools, museums and art galleries.

Local authorities collaborating on this project include Bradford Libraries, Barnsley Libraries, Calderdale Libraries, Cheshire West Libraries, East Riding Libraries, Harrow Libraries, Hull Libraries, Kirklees Libraries, Newcastle City Libraries, Norfolk Libraries, North Yorkshire Libraries, Surrey Libraries, Tameside Libraries, Trafford Libraries and Wakefield Libraries.