Clevedon students are fundraising to create an ‘innovative’ boathouse-shaped library.

Project Xenia is a campaign to make a library out of two shipping containers in the form of a boathouse at Clevedon School.

Students have launched an online bid to raise £15,000 for the scheme but need to reach their target before the end of April.

The students said: “The plan is to use this space as a meeting place both during the day to help students improve their literacy and develop our love of literature at the school, and in the evenings for community groups.”

Head of English Jo Carrington added: “This is an unbelievably exciting and innovative project which will help to further boost literacy and the love of reading.

“It will give students even more space and a creative environment.

“We would love to involve as many people as possible to create something for generations at the school.”

The structure would be clad in wood and embody the theme of journeys, the sea and stories.

Project Xenia has also received support from television presenter, actor and comedian Sir Tony Robinson.

He said: “A shipping container library in Clevedon, particularly given its seaside heritage, should seize people’s imagination.

“It will certainly be unusual, practical and let’s be honest, rather bizarre.”

The Times is this year running its own initiative to encourage reading among children and give primary school pupils access to a larger selection of books in lessons.

The Books For Schools campaign is appealing for charities, businesses and families to donate books or gift vouchers to be shared among schools across the district.

So far Trinity Primary School in Portishead, Yeo Moor Primary School in Clevedon and the Federation of Hannah More Infant and Grove Junior School in Nailsea have each received 100 books.

Books can be left at Clevedon Community Bookshop in Copse Road, Portishead Town Council’s office at the Folk Hall, High Street, or the Times’ office at 32 Waterloo Street in Weston.

Click here to donate to Project Xenia.