Providing children with tablets and e-readers helps encourage youngsters to spend more time reading, according to a new survey.

Research carried out by the Reading Agency revealed that just under half of all parents believe Kindles, Sony Readers and iPads help promote the pastime.

Less than two thirds of those questioned said they had registered their child at a local library or borrowed books for them, however, 79 per cent said they buy comics, books and magazines.

One in four parents admitted to purchasing tablets or e-readers for their offspring, while 16 per cent claimed to have either paid for or let their youngsters use their devices.

The findings follow the launch of the 2012 Summer Reading Challenge, which chief executive Miranda McKearney said will help to create "lots of life-long readers".

Ms McKearney urged families to visit libraries, claiming children that use the book lending service "are twice as likely to be above average readers".

Written by Donal Walsh

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