A RECORD number of children took part in a county-wide reading challenge over the summer.

The annual summer reading promotion, run by Wiltshire Council in libraries across the county, attracted more than 9,398 readers.

More than 250 volunteers helped run the scheme, which saw more than 37,000 books completed.

Children aged four to 11 were encouraged to join in with incentives including a Beanotown map where they added stickers as they read books, and a Dennis the Menace wristband.

Declan Chacksfield, six, from Melksham took part.

He said: “I enjoyed reading the books. I liked getting a medal and talking to people at the library about the stories I read.”

Another reader, a10-year-old girl from Chippenham said: “I really enjoyed the reading challenge.

"Instead of watching YouTube before bedtime I read a chapter.

"I will always read before bedtime because of the reading challenge.”

A Chippenham parent said: “The reading challenge is the only thing that motivates my son to read over the holidays. He gets so excited about doing it. It’s the highlight of the holidays.”

John Thomson, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for libraries, said: “Our Beano-themed Mischief Makers challenge was hugely popular.

“We would like to thank all the volunteers who supported the children taking part.

"Alongside our staff, they really heled to make it a special and fun experience.”

The Mischief Makers Summer Reading Challenge 2018 was produced nationally by the Reading Agency charity and run locally by Wiltshire Council libraries.