MORE than 160 children have been given the gift of a new dictionary before heading to secondary school.

The Rotary Club of Manningtree Stour Valley has presented 167 dictionaries to youngsters.

The illustrated dictionaries, costing £672, were funded through local fundraising.

Rotarian David Shearmur said: “Manningtree Rotary made the offer originally to purchase these at a minimal cost and as church of England schools often give Bibles, which is excellent, the state schools made no book presentation to pupils moving up to the high school - now some get both.”

The dictionaries were given to children at St Mary’s in Ardleigh, Bradfield Primary, Brooklands Primary in Brantham, Dedham, Highfields Primary in Lawford and Mistley Norman.