BBC Two partners with World Book Night

BBC Two has announced a partnership with World Book Night, a major event that aims to give away up to one million books.

Coverage of World Book Night will be aired on BBC Two on March 5 next year. Tonight's edition of The Culture Show will feature a preview of the event at 7pm, including an invitation for viewers to become book donors.

Inspired by the success of World Book Day, the event will aim to put "accessible work of enduring quality" in the hands of adult readers in the UK and Ireland.

The campaign is supported by writers J.K. Rowling and Seamus Heaney, along with musician Damon Albarn, actor Colin Firth and sculptor Anthony Gormley.

Enthusiastic readers will be encouraged to sign up to the campaign to give away their favourite books to people who they think might enjoy them.

Anyone can apply to become one of the 20,000 givers, choosing a title to donate from a list of 25 books selected by an expert panel, including the BBC's creative director Alan Yentob. The chosen givers will be able to donate 48 copies of their much-loved book.

"BBC Two will host World Book Night from its inception on December 2 through to the event itself on March 5," said Yentob.

"Whether as a giver, recipient or viewer, we hope that BBC audiences will be inspired to get involved with this ground-breaking project."

BBC arts commissioning editor Mark Bell added: "Reading and sharing a good book is a pleasure enjoyed by millions of people in this country so it is fitting that the BBC, as part of its continued commitment to literature and reading, partners with World Book Night."