MORE than 300 young bookworms received medals and certificates earlier this month for successfully completing Knutsford Library’s annual Summer Reading Challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge is a national scheme run every year in libraries across the country, designed to keep children reading during the summer holidays.

The theme for this year’s challenge was ‘The Mythical Maze’, with each child reading at least six books over the summer holidays.

Librarian Alex Bramwell said: "The Summer Reading Challenge is a really important part of what we do here at the library. It encourages children to read for pleasure and enjoy reading, as well as helping them to keep reading during the school holidays.

"We have a lot of involvement with local schools and preschools throughout the year, with class visits and storytime sessions, and it’s wonderful to be able to keep this up through the summer. An important part of the challenge is that children have the chance to talk to us about the books they have been reading, letting us know what books they think are great, or even books they didn’t like at all.

"It’s great for children to be able to share their thoughts about what they’ve read, and great for us as we can always find out more about children’s books and authors."

Knutsford Town Mayor Clr Neil Forbes and Cheshire East Clr Olivia Hunter were on hand to present accolades and offer a word of congratulations to the youngsters at the Toft Road library on September 16 and 18.

Clr Neil Forbes said: “It was heart-warming to see so many of our youngest residents not only embracing their summer reading challenge but also enjoying it too.”