London: Children of British military personnel under five years should be given a free book every month, an MP has said.

John Healey from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, has started the scheme in his constituency.

The plan -- to cost around 750,000 pounds a year -- aims to give an educational boost to the 36,000 young children of military personnel whose learning is disrupted by regular school changes.

He said children's delight in receiving a parcel sparks interest in reading.

"I want the government to make this modest extra effort to reward the extra sacrifice forces' families make," Healey told parliament ahead of a debate on the issue. IANS