Leicestershire County Council says it is 'proud' that Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will be launching his 10-year tour of libraries across the United Kingdom in Ashby next week.

Ashby Library will be the 'virtual' host for the event which we reported on recently Simon Armitage to perform live reading at Ashby Library.

Over a week each spring for the next decade and using the alphabet as a guide, Simon will give readings in buildings in a celebration of the library service.

He decided to start his tour at Ashby as its full name - Ashby de la Zouch - has letters which both start and end the alphabet.

The free event will be live-streamed from Ashby Library and there will be no audience present at the event.

The hour-long reading will take place at 11am on April 26.

Nigel Thomas, the county council's assistant director for adults and communities, said: "We're really proud that the first stop on Simon Armitage's tour is here in Leicestershire, and delighted that he can continue with his adventure after initially having to postpone last year.

"With libraries across the country closed for such a long period of time, I'm very pleased that we can once again host events such as this and to unite our communities through the power of reading and poetry."

Simon added: "I want to celebrate the physical space of libraries and take my work back into places that have given me so much.

"My experience of reading and writing began in the village library where I grew up, then in the nearby town library, then in libraries at various places of study and teaching.

"For many people, they are an invaluable aspect of everyday life, giving access not just to books but to services, learning, conversation and creative thinking."

Libraries across Leicestershire re-opened last week for browsing and taking away books.

Registration and live streaming will be available through Crowd Cast.

For more information or to sign up for free, click HERE.