A TECH-SAVVY grandmother is using a library's services to read her grandson bedtime stories from over 10,000 miles away.

Penny Warland, 66, from Braintree, uses Skype on a wifi connection at Braintree Library to call four-year-old Riley who lives in Australia.

She rings at 9.30am, which corresponds with Riley's 6pm bedtime on the other side of the world.

Mrs Warland said: "When grandchildren move away there’s a danger that you end up only knowing them by the photos you’re sent.

"Our Skype sessions allow me to have one-to-one time with him whilst encouraging him with his reading.

"Sometimes I write out the words in the book so I can show him the page on camera and he can read along whilst I read from my notes."

Mrs Warland now wants to encourage more grandparents who might be in the same position to use Essex Libraries to help them keep in contact with far away loved ones.

She said: "I would encourage everybody to join their local library and learn to use their computer and webcam as it offers a great opportunity to keep in contact with family and friends.

"It’s a lot easier than people think and you can always ask someone younger for advice if you’re struggling."

Cllr Anne Brown, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Corporate, Communities and Customers, said: "Penny’s efforts are truly heart-warming as a bedtime story can play such a crucial role in introducing children to the wonders of reading at an early age – even if it is read by a grandmother on the other side of the world.

"Anybody in the county wanting to follow in Mrs Warland’s footsteps or who fears they may be out of touch with modern technology should keep an eye out for events at an array of libraries across the county to help residents become computer savvy."

More information on computer literacy and other events at libraries across Essex is available at the “What’s New?” section of www.essex.gov.uk/Libraries.