MORE than 25,000 children took part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge in the county’s libraries.

Andrew Gibson, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge continues to inspire young people to become confident readers by enabling them to learn from the stories they want to read. This year’s theme celebrates achievements and personal bests.

“Children’s reading ability can decline over the summer and research by the Reading Agency has found that those who take part in the challenge maintain, and even improve, their reading level over this period – which is why Hampshire libraries do all they can to encourage children to take part each year.

“Well done to all the children who have put their mind to it and completed the challenge.”

The Summer Reading Challenge for children aged four to 11 takes place in Hampshire libraries every year during the summer holidays. The challenge is to read or listen to six library books and as children progress they can earn stickers, a certificate and a medal if they complete the challenge.

The Reading Agency launched this year’s challenge in partnership with Guinness World Records.

The theme – Record Breakers – challenges young readers to explore real life achievements featured in the Guinness Book of Records.