IT is a mountain of books and they are all up for grabs.

Thanks to the charity Glasgow The Caring City, a seven- tonne consignment is available for schools across the West of ­Scotland.

The charity will host a book fair on September 16-17 to give teachers the chance to choose from around £500,000 worth of brand new children's story and activity books.

Among the colourful titles are Bob the Builder and Postman Pat as well as books to make large-scale models for fire engines and tractors, plus others in French and Spanish.

The books, many of which are worth up to £20, will be shared out between the schools, with each receiving around £250 worth for their libraries.

Reverend Neil Galbraith, minister of Cathcart Old Parish Church and founder of the charity which supports children in crisis at home and overseas, said he had already had lots of interest from schools ahead of the book fair.

He sent out invitations to dozens of schools to give them a chance to get their hands on some books.

The books came through international charity Global Hand, which offers charities the chance to apply for gifts in kind.

After a major book retailer in London closed down, they were given 48 hours to clear their warehouse of the remaining stock.

Glasgow the Caring City took action to claim the books and arranged for them to be transferred to a different warehouse before being transported up to Glasgow.

The book fair will be the first big legacy project as part of Celebration City - a series of events held throughout the year in the run-up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The church, home to the Glasgow The Caring City charity, has teamed up with more than 30 partners to plan the festival.

The local squadron of the Territorial Army, which is backing the celebrations, has offered their warehouse to store the books and volunteers to help move them to Cathcart Old Parish Church. on the day of the fair.

Captain Bill Forsyth said: "We are always happy to help because we are part of the community."

Reverend Galbraith said the project was part of the legacy they hope to create through Celebration City.

He said: "This is about not just celebrating what's good, but getting others out there to come along and to give them opportunities.

"The whole key to these Games is leaving the legacy that will improve the city of Glasgow's quality of life and part of that is going to be education, as well as sport."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk