UNLOVED books can reach new owners in the Forest of Dean, through a book swap service that has been launched by a local bus company.

Stagecoach West has launched a scheme to give books a second home once they have been read, rather than leave them buried in bookcases or in cardboard boxes in attics.

Rupert Cox, Managing Director for Stagecoach West said: “We’re excited to introduce the book swap and hope that our passengers will take part in both leaving books on board and taking books to read as well. Books can be quite expensive these days, so rather than throwing them away, it’s nice to pass them on to someone else who can read them and enjoy them. They’re more than welcome to bring the books back once they’re finished with them and swap them for another.”

Passengers who like to read will be able to pick up a book themselves while on the bus, and even leave a book or two of their own behind as a swap.

The company came up with the idea following company research, which found any newspapers on-board, including the Metro, are snapped up almost immediately and that passengers are more likely to pass the time by reading if there’s material available to them.

Anyone can take and donate books on-board the listed services as long as they are in good condition. It’s not a stipulation that passengers have to swap a book in order to take one, but common courtesy is advised in that people only take one book at a time.