Ramsey library has introduced a Tuesday children’s story time to supplement its Saturday sessions.

Aimed at pre-school age children the sessions are run by assistant librarian Heather Ruffino who said: ‘The Saturday story times are always very popular but we recognise that some families’ weekend schedules might not be able to fit in a visit to the library, which is why we have expanded the programme with this new Tuesday session.

‘Story times are mix of traditional fairy tales, character-driven stories and seasonal tales for celebrations such as Hop tu Naa, Christmas and Easter.

‘We run the sessions all year round and they’re a valuable way of introducing very young children to reading and helping them to develop an interest in the world of books before they start school.’

From time to time Mrs Ruffino, who is director of theatre group Cloideryn Productions, will be in costume for some sessions and, ahead of this year’s Hop tu Naa, chose to hold a story time dressed as Winnie the Witch, a benign witch with only kind-hearted intentions.

Mrs Ruffino added: ‘As well as Ramsey now being able to offer young children two story times every week, the town now has what is effectively a community theatre space, St Paul’s Hall, where thanks to financial support from the Isle of Man Arts Council and the Manx Lottery Trust, Cloideryn Productions has new staging, which will be great for our production of Pinocchio the first weekend in February 2016.’

Story times at Ramsey library are 9.30 to 10am on Tuesdays and 11 to 11.30am on Saturdays. Library membership to children and students up to the age of 18 island-wide is free. Membership for adults with a Ramsey post code is ?10 and ?20 for those living elsewhere in the island.

Cloideryn Productions would welcome more members, adults and children. ‘All you need is a sense of humour,’ said Mrs Ruffino. To find out more contact her on 437904.

Photo - Winnie the Witch, aka assistant librarian Heather Ruffino, with Zara Kirwan and Charlie Kerruish, both aged four.