Davies the face of World Book Day

Swans star Ben Davies has been unveiled as the face of the 2014 World Book Day campaign in Wales. 

This month, over 15,000 posters printed for the campaign are being distributed to schools, colleges, bookshops and libraries across the nation in the run-up to World Book Day on March 6.  

Speaking at the photo-shoot at the Liberty Stadium, where he was relaxing with a copy of Y Bancsi Bach by Tudur Dylan Jones (Y Lolfa), Davies said: "It's a great privilege for me to be selected for the World Book Day 2014 poster campaign. 

"Professional sportsmen and sportswomen invest a great deal of time and energy in their training in order to be at their best for a match or tournament, but it's just as important to get some down-time when you can relax completely, and reading is the ideal activity for times such as these. 

"I enjoy reading books as well as websites about football, and catching up with the news online as well as using social media. 

"If I had to choose my favourite children's book, it would be Smot y Ci, the Welsh adaptation of Spot the dog, and of course Roald Dahl's books are a must when you are a young kid discovering books."

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. 

The event in Wales sees thousands of children marking the day by taking part in reading activities and events, bringing a favourite book to school, or dressing up as a favourite book character. 

Angharad Tomos, Reading Promotions Project Manager at the Welsh Books Council, who coordinate the scheme in Wales, commented: "We are delighted to have Ben, together with Jade Jones, as our World Book Day poster personalities this year. They are both first class in their respective fields, and an inspiration to youngsters throughout Wales."