MACMILLAN CANCER APPEAL: IT'S not often a youngster chooses a good book over the latest TV cartoon, but that is exactly what seven-year-old Madeleine Cotterill does.

Now Madeleine is using her talent to raise almost £60 for Macmillan Cancer Relief in a sponsored read-a-thon.

Madeleine, who goes to school in Marlborough, said: "I love reading and really like getting new books. I always ask for books for birthday and Christmas presents. I sometimes like to watch The Simpsons on television but I prefer to read a book.

"I have read 18 so far and was sponsored by my mummy and daddy, my brother Tristan who's 11, and neighbours. Even my ballet teacher sponsored me.

"I've been learning about helping other people in Religious Education lessons at school and decided I wanted to do something myself.

"I wanted to help Macmillan because my mummy works there and because the nurses help people."

Madeleine learned to read when she was five but has been interested in books for as long as she can remember. "My mummy used to read me stories and I'd ask babysitters to read to me too," she said.

"I like animal stories especially if they have rabbits in them. I have started writing my own story called Horrid Henry and the Dinner Lady.''

Madeleine's mum Rowena says her daughter's love of books runs in the family. Rowena, who is the Swindon and Marlborough Macmillan Appeal secretary, said: "I used to love reading when I was little. I grew up on Enid Blyton's Famous Five."

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