Newham Bookshop is giving away more heritage books to the elderly following the project’s huge success last month.

The independent, not-for-profit shop in Barking Road, Plaistow, gave away around 40 books by East End favourite Gilda O’Neill to care homes, housing associations, and libraries to trigger memories and discussion among the older generation.

The move was so popular that publishers have now given the Bookshop copies of The Sugar Girls by Nuala Calvi and Duncan Barrett, and editions of Call the Midwife - based on the hit TV series set in Poplar in the ‘50s - to give away.

Vivian Archer, manager of the Bookshop, said: “It’s been fantastic. All the books went to old people who are housebound and it was lovely to see the books stir happy memories in them.”

If you would like some free copies, visit the Newham Bookshop or email Vivian on vivian@newhambooks.co.uk.