YOUNG people have been working together to replace a primary school’s books about diversity that were lost in a fire.

A blaze tore through the roof at Westleigh Methodist Primary School and destroyed its library.

Members of BYOU, Wigan Council’s youth group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ+) teamed up with the Wigan Pride Committee to replace books about diversity that were burnt.

The books encourage inclusion, difference and equality.

Earlier this year BYOU attended the school’s diversity week to celebrate difference and encourage children to be themselves.

BYOU member Alex West, 17, from Golborne, said: “I have always been an avid reader and books have always meant a lot to me.

“I imagined how upsetting it must have been to lose your library and I wanted to do something to help.”

Jace Winstanley, 15, from Leigh, added: “The fire must have been traumatic for everyone and children don’t deserve to have that happen so I am glad we could help in some way.

“It is really important that schools are positive about equality so I hope the new books will help.”

Wigan Pride’s theme this year for its annual event in Believe Square on Saturday, August 11 in Wigan town centre is “growth and community”.

Wigan Pride committee member Ian Dyer said: “It is especially important that we do things to help our local community and we are hoping to encourage others to do the same.

“Books are great as a way of educating young people and I’m happy to see how this school has embraced equality, so it is great that we could help replace these.”

BYOU members and the Wigan Pride committee have visited the Westleigh Lane school to present the books to them.

Pastoral manager at Westleigh Methodist School, Michelle Waterworth, said: “This is a really kind gesture and we’re really grateful.

“The whole community has been fantastically supportive since the fire and we appreciate it so much.

“Our library was completely lost in the fire and the children were even starting to bring in their own books to help set it up again, so the fact that the young people from BYOU and the Wigan Pride Committee have replaced a whole set of our resources really means a lot.”

Young people interested in getting involved with the BYOU youth group can e-mail b.youproject@wigan.gov.uk for information.