By Irma Heger MEN do read books. Bolton Wanderers' midfielder Claus Jensen's favourite read is John Grisham's The Rainmaker. And Royal Bolton Hospital charge nurse Frank Livesey enjoys a good thriller by Tom Clancy.

Now their faces, seen reading a book, are looming large on these posters - to dispel the myth that reading is somehow a "female" activity.

The "What Are You Reading" campaign is part of a cunning plan to raise awareness of reading. It's still the National Year of Reading until the end of this academic year, with "Bolton, the Reading Town" this year's slogan.

Bolton council has sent a thousand local businesses a set of these posters by Bolton council, which aim to spread the message of the boon of books - even if an English clergyman in the last century famously said: "No furniture so charming as books, even if you never open them, or read a single word."

The project also gives you the chance to be a nosy parker - because these posters will be surrounded by sheets of paper saying: "I am reading..." where passers by can write down what's on their bedside cabinet...

But of course the organisers hope you'll do the decent thing and add your current read to the display, thereby making it truly "interactive".

For more information on this initiative, call Julie Spencer, National Year of Reading Co-ordinator, on 01204 522311 ext 2164.

to go with posters:-

(Footballer)

Soccer star Claus Jensen describes himself as an avid reader - he always enjoyed reading during his school days in Denmark and now reads when his Bolton Wanderers' training schedule allows.

Claus describes his house as being "full of books" and he is planning to join a library in Bolton very soon.

(Nurse)

Frank Livesey has a very busy job as a Charge Nurse on the children's wards at Royal Bolton Hospital.

When off duty he likes to get his teeth into a thriller to relax and he reads for study purposes.

The nurse has two children, 10-year-old Robert and Catherine, aged 8, whom he reads with regularly. At the moment the three of them are enjoying the "Goosebumps" series.

(Firefighter)

Alan Haddock is a firefighter based at Moor Lane fire station.

The father of two reads at the fire station during break times, and at home when he has the time.

Firefighter Alan enjoys thrillers - especially those set in the Second World War - and reads to benefit his career, studying for Fire Service exams.

His two children, six-year-old Richard and nine-year-old Emily, enjoy reading with their dad after they come home from Devonshire Road County Primary School. Daughter Emily is even a budding poet - who already has a publication to her name on the Bennies page.

(Police Officer)

John Faulkner is a Police Inspector in the Community Affairs Department for Bolton Division who reads extensively for his job.

In his spare time he reads mostly newspapers and magazines - the latter relating to his hobbies, fishing and caravanning.

John has two children, Megan, aged 7, and Liam, aged 4, whom he reads with at every opportunity, because he recognises the importance of reading.

Megan and Liam's favourites at the moment are Roald Dahl and anything involving dinosaurs.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.