Other readers include children's author Jana Bent and 2009 Miss St James Festival Queen, Crystal Blake.

Readathon was established nine years ago by the resort to help curb the decline in literacy and increase a love of reading among school-age children of six to 16 years within the Flanker and Whitehouse communities.

"The event will also feature reading and spelling competitions for the event's targeted age groups. We will also have the services of a reading specialist through the Ministry of Education to test the children's reading levels and abilities," said Nathelie Taylor, regional public relations manager, Sandals Resorts Montego Bay.

"So we will be engaging them in activities such as Scrabble lessons and games and short story and poetry writing competitions to bring out their own creativity and increase their love of words and literature."