A Harpenden primary school which has just moved into new, purpose-built premises has been given a home-warming gift to remember after an insurance firm donated £5,000 to spend on library books.

Students at the Harpenden Academy moved onto a new site in Vaughan Road earlier this year and will now reap the benefits of up to 500 new books courtesy of the OneFamily Foundation.

The project was nominated by mum-of-three Christina Rae, whose eldest son attends the school. She said: “Since nominating the library for funding, the buzz of excitement among the staff and parents have been amazing. Now we’ve won - well, we’re thrilled.”

The majority of the books bought will be nonfiction, providing an essential tool for learning and development. Principal Marissa Davis said: “This grant means we can offer the children access to a rich resource crucial to their wider education.

“With the wide range of technology available, there is still nothing quite like handling a new book to enthuse a child.”

OneFamily provides investments, savings, health and life insurance and redistributes a portion of its profits to local community projects. James Hale, OneFamily’s customer engagement manager said: “We wish all of Harpenden Academy’s budding book worms many hours of happy reading.”