AN independent bookshop in Ilkley is one of 62 recipients across the country to receive a grant from best selling author and bookshop devotee James Patterson.

The Grove Bookshop will use their latest grant of £600 to enhance the window displays of their shop. Previous grants from the same fund have gone towards a children's bookmark competition and to re-equip the children's section instore.

This fourth and final grant allocation takes the total amount allocated by James Patterson since September 2014 up to £500,000 across 272 grants to independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland.

Any independent bookshop with a dedicated children’s book section was eligible for a grant of between £250 and £5,000. Patterson is committed to bringing attention to the important contributions of independent bookshops and he is especially concerned with inspiring children to become lifelong readers.

Following this exceptional ongoing support and generosity to the book trade, Patterson was honoured with the 2016 Outstanding Contribution to the Book Industry at The British Book Industry Awards last week. The first ever author to receive this accolade.

James Patterson said: “I have been completely overwhelmed by just how many independent bookshops have applied for grants again this year, and yet again have been impressed and enthused by the creativity of booksellers. I am extremely proud and honoured to accept the Outstanding Contribution to the Book Industry Award.”

A reception was held in London last week when James Patterson was able to meet many of the recipients of his independent bookshops grants, which unfortunately staff from The Grove Bookshop were unable to attend.

Mike Sansbury, manager of The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley said: "We're greatly indebted to James Patterson for recognising the vital importance of independent bookshops and actually doing something positive about it. He has done this purely to advertise the importance of books and bookshops, a truly philanthropic gesture by someone who has had remarkable success with his own books and wishes to pay something back.

"Thanks to his amazing generosity we have been able to re-equip our children's department with a picture-book spinner, run an improved Children's Bookmark competition with bigger prizes (involving schools across the area) and have recently received a third grant which will enable us to enhance our window displays in the future. I am just sorry that we weren't able to get to London on Monday to thank him in person, as gestures like his are rare and should be applauded."

Tim Godfray from The Booksellers Association, added: “Usually, a number of candidates are reviewed by the Booksellers Association’s members each year when considering who best to win its Outstanding Contribution to the Book Industry Award. But this year, there was no debate, one person stood head and shoulders above everyone else. With James’ help, we have allowed independent booksellers to be innovative and creative in reaching children through the bookshop."