The event’s founder Jamie Byng set out its charitable objectives at 11 Downing Street last night to an audience that included figures from the world of arts and culture, as well as authors and the literacy charity sector.

He said: "It is our priority to take books to some of the hardest-to-reach potential readers particularly within UK prisons, libraries and hospitals, care homes and homes for the elderly."

Byng pledged to set up World Book Night pop-up centres in communities where there are no bookshops:

"When people cannot come to us and participate in our events, we will take our books to them," he said: "If you live in a town without a bookshop – sign up, volunteer and we will create a World Book Night pop-up with you in your local town-hall or in your local square."

World Book Night has confirmed that 500,000 books will be distributed by 20,000 volunteers and that all library authorities will receive full sets of books, including prison and hospital libraries, for outreach work in their communities.