More than 100 residents attended the first session and enjoyed speeches from Sir Robin Wales and executive member for communities Councillor Unmesh Desai and a book reading from Councillor Omana Gangadharan.

The group follows on from other successful reading groups including a Tamil group at East Ham Library, a Gujarati group at Green Street Library and a female Urdu group at The Gate, Forest Gate.

Sir Robin Wales said: "In Newham, we believe in the importance of doing things together. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will inspire people to do more together and be active, not just in sport, but other activities such as reading."

The group will meet on the third Thursday of every month from 6.30pm to 8pm.

For more information about reading groups visit newham.gov.uk or call Anjali Das on 020 8430 2000 or email: anjali.das@newham.gov.uk