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It seems the age-old tradition children getting a bedtime story sleeping is the wane Britain. A new study reveals that a third of parents do not read bedtime stories their children. The study, British online retailer Littlewoods.com, also found that to 50 per cent of children would prefer to watch TV or play computer games than be read a story. Researchers further discovered that a paltry five per cent British under-sevens do not even own a book. Parents came with a myriad of reasons why they did not read to their little ones. Thirteen per cent parents blamed a lack time, nine per cent said they are just “too stressed”, while others said their children were simply not interested.

Littlewoods has teamed with British pop star Natasha Hamilton to try and reverse this trend. They have launched a bedtime story writing competition children seven. Ms Hamilton, 31, told reporters: "I'm really excited to see all the different story ideas and can't wait to see what the kids come with. Choosing a winner's not going to be easy." She spoke her own joy as a mother reading bedtime stories, saying: "As a mum three, I know just how enjoyable reading bedtime stories to my kids is." A spokesman Littlewoods.com said: "We appreciate how important it is for parents and kids to spend quality time together, and bedtime stories are a great way to do just this."