Rocket Ronnie recommends reading

By nking

ESSEX snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan has put his support behind a national campaign to encourage youngsters to read more.

The three-time and current world champion has joined forces with the Nation Year of Reading to help promote literacy in the UK, especially among boys between 11-14 years old.

The Chigwell cue-man is one of a number of sport stars asked to pick their most inspirational book, quote or speech. His choice was Howard Hughes: The Untold Story by Peter Harry Brown and Pat H Broeske.

He said: "I recently read Howard Hughes biography. While I don't agree with everything Hughes did, I find certain aspects of his life truly inspirational, showing there is no limit to what you can achieve if you set your mind to something."

Other sporting heroes involved in the campaign are MotoGP motorcycle racer James Toseland, Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy, and Bradford Bulls rugby league player Wayne Godwin.

The 2008 National Year of Reading has been designed to encourage everyone to read more, promoting reading as an enjoyable activity, as well as the key life skill, which is essential for success in life, whatever you do.

The NYR is encouraging all forms of reading, not just books, with a message of 'read more of what you love'.

To find out more about the Year of Reading, visit www.yearofreading.org.uk.