A YOUNG entrepreneur from Powell’s School in Cirencester has raised enough money to donate more than 20 new books to his school library.

Imaginative Gabriel Carter sold over a hundred of his homemade ‘bookmasks’ – bookmarks decorated with the faces of literature’s most famous characters – during his school break time in a bid to buy new books.

Proud mum Sophie Carter-Tweedale said that Gabriel has been shocked by just how popular his invention turned out to be.

“He’s been so pleased with how well they’ve been received. Everyone at school really got excited by the whole thing, it’s made him want to do more,” she said.

The seven-year-old, who was aided by best friend and business partner Ben Groves, spent days designing and producing the bookmasks at home before selling them at school for 50p a piece in the run up to World Book Day.

Having raised nearly £65, Gabriel and Ben visited Octavia’s book shop in Black Jack Street on Friday, March 14 to choose 15 new books for their classmates to enjoy.

Shop owner Octavia Karavala was so impressed with the boys’ business skills that she donated 10 extra books to the cause.

Sophie said: “People have been commenting on how original the bookmasks are and they have been asking where they can get more. I’m not sure what is next for Gabriel but I am sure he will think of something.”