WHAT’S in a bag? Hopefully a book, if York’s Little Apple bookstore in High Petergate has anything to do with it.

From today, and all week until Friday, the shop will give anyone who spends at least £5 on books a free cotton tote bag to carry them away in.

It’s a bag you’ll be able to carry with pride, as proof you support local independent booksellers, jokes Little Apple’s co-owner Philippa Morris.

The bags are part of a nationwide campaign by the Booksellers’ Association to promote the joy of bookshops.

“The publishing industry has changed a lot since we started trading 17 years ago, and it’s true to say that there are fewer bookshops around now, either big or small,” Philippa says. “These bags are just a little reminder that some bookshops are still here, and it’s a way for us to give back something to our customers.”