Support for Oxford’s attempt to become World Book Capital
The government has offered its support for Oxford's bid to be named World Book Capital in 2014, after culture minister Ed Vaizey wrote a letter to the team behind the project.
It would be expected to focus on schemes providing books for young readers and other attempts to promote youth literacy if awarded the accolade, reports the Oxford Mail.
The newspaper pointed out young people in the city's primary schools have some of the lowest reading and writing rates in the country.
No other UK city plans to compete for the title, which is currently held by Buenos Aires, which beat off comeptition for Tehran and Lagos.
Mr Vaizey said he was delighted Oxford had chosen to apply, adding that it is "in a very good position to secure the nomination because of its extraordinary literary heritage over many centuries".
He added that he intended to work with a number of literacy charities to help introduce more children in the city to books and reading.
All bids for the 2014 nomination must be submitted by the end of April 2011.
