EVERY summer Somerset County Council’s libraries are buzzing with children taking part in The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge.

And this year’s Animal Agents-themed reading event has proved to be no exception.

More than 200 children have flocked to Burnham-on-Sea library over the summer holidays to read their favourite books, earn stickers and get clues to solve a mystery.

A total of 270 children from Burnham signed up for the challenge and 181 read all six books they were task to, and received a certificate, a medal and had the chance to be entered into a prize draw.

Nathan Crook, library supervisor for the council, said this year’s reading challenge was a huge success.

“All the children who took part loved the stickers they collected, some of which were smelly which always seems to add to the appeal,” he said.

“Lots of children signed up to online activities which gave them clues to help them ‘catch the crooks’.

“We received some great comments from parents about how the Summer Reading Challenge encourages their children to keep reading throughout the holidays.”

“One parent said taking part in last year’s and this year’s Summer Reading Challenge has helped her daughter improve her reading and helped her obtain 100 per cent in her reading SATS.”

Children who entered the prize draw met at David Bull Opticians in Burnham on September 29 and three lucky winners were presented with gift vouchers. Kandra Nichols received a £25 gift voucher, Lucy Bridgeman a £15 voucher and Brennan Couton a £10 voucher which can all be spent in GW Hurleys.

David Bull, owner of David Bull Opticians, said: “We were delighted to support the challenge along with G W Hurley for the second time and can report that we had more children register with us for the prize draw than last year.”