VENDING machines have got a whole lot healthier – with one school filling theirs with reading books.

Little Parndon Primary Academy, in Harlow, has installed a unique way to get children excited about books and reading.

As well as the reading vending machine, the school has also opened a reading shed as a place for children to visit.

A sponsored read – where children were challenged to read as much as they could over a week – raised £2,000, which was boosted with another £1,000 by Katie’s Book Barn.

Money raised filled the vending machine with books, which children can buy with tokens earned in class.

Sian Cockman, assistant headteacher and reading lead, said: “Reading for pleasure is a big focus for children and staff at Little Parndon. Children at Little Parndon now show a real love for reading and they cannot wait to earn a token to win a book from our vending machines. 

“The new reading vending machines and our reading area are the talk of the school! 

“Children are excited to talk about books and are constantly looking to see what’s available to choose from in the vending machine. 

“I am overwhelmed with the amount of money raised, so I want to say a big thank you to the children and their families for helping us so much.”