PUPILS at a school in Taunton were excited to meet a real-life ‘Bob the Builder’ when Martyn Brooks, construction manager from David Wilson Homes, read to them and made a donation on World Book Day.

To help pupils celebrate books and authors and encourage young people to discover the joy in reading, Martyn read ‘We Can Build’ to 117 four and nine-year-olds at Nerrols Primary School.

David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes are currently building a range of two, three, four and five bedroom properties at the nearby Nerrols Grange development.

‘We Can Build’ was written by graduates working at Barratt Developments and all money raised from the proceeds of the book will go to the Prince’s Trust charity.

Designed to be informative and fun, ‘We Can Build’ educates children aged five to seven (Key Stage 1) about the built environment and shows them how rewarding it can be to work in the sector.

Martyn hopes the book will inspire the next generation of built environment workers.

He said: “Illustrating real professions with fun characters will hopefully bring to life just how rewarding a career in housebuilding can be. It was a pleasure to be invited in on the 25th World Book Day and I hope I’ve inspired the next generation of architects, quantity surveyors and site managers.”

Rhian Locker, head teacher at Nerrols Primary School, said: “Our pupils loved meeting a real-life builder.

"Not only was the session lots of fun, but it opened their eyes to the number of jobs there are in the industry.

"I’m sure Martyn will have some competition on his hands in a few years’ time.”

Barratt Developments’ ASPIRE graduates wrote ‘We Can Build’ as part of the Prince’s Trust Million Makers challenge.

The entrepreneurial challenge sees teams of employees from organisations across the UK competing to raise as much as possible from an initial seed funding investment.

The Prince’s Trust believes every young person should have the chance to embrace exciting opportunities.

It helps 11 to 30-year-olds find the tools and confidence to take on courses and start careers.

Nerrols Grange is a new community set within six acres of open space.

The development includes allotments, a play area, a primary school and a nursery.