A Cumbrian train station charity book scheme is to be extended after a runaway success.

The NSPCC's charity bookshelf scheme has been running for the past year at Carlisle railway station.

Sited on the station concourse, the bookshelf hosts donated books which can be taken in exchange for a donation placed in the adjacent box.

Organised by NSPCC community fundraising manager Sandra Jones, the scheme has raised nearly £2,000 in the last year.

To further the project's success, the charity has now decided to extend the scheme for another year.

Supported by Virgin Trains, which operates the city's train station, staff members have been holding collections for the NSPCC. Their most recent effort last week raised £158.

Sandra explained that the "bookshelf has been a great way for us to raise money, while giving travellers through the station some great opportunities to pick up a book to read on their journey".

“It’s because we’ve had such a success with the bookshelf that the station invited us to continue it for another year – but to make it work we desperately need more donations of books.

"So if anyone has some books at home that they’re never going to read again, perhaps gathering dust, we’d love to find a new home for them via Carlisle train station.

Sandra thanked Dave Broughton and Cath Broughton from Virgin Trains for their support of the venture.

"The fundraising opportunities they and the team have offered us ensure that we can keep making a big difference in the lives of children in Carlisle and around the UK.”