YOUNG readers are invited to celebrate 80 years of The Beano by signing up to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge at Alton library when it starts on July 14.

Every Summer Reading Challenge is a real celebration of reading for children across the county who have to read six books over the summer holidays to complete the challenge,” said Sean Woodward, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for recreation and heritage.

“Our libraries offer a fantastic range of books in various formats – paperback, digital and audio – which all count toward their reading total and can be enjoyed at their own pace.

“This year’s theme is in honour of The Beano’s 80th anniversary, so we’re encouraging children across Hampshire to sign up to the challenge when it starts.”

Children taking part in the challenge will join the lovable Pieface, Rubi, JJ, Gnasher, and the ultimate mischief maker, Dennis, on the trail of hidden treasure. Along the way, readers will receive a map of Beanotown, for which they will collect stickers as each of the six books is read. Once all the stickers are discovered and added to the map, children can see where the treasure is hidden to cross the challenge finish line.

The Summer Reading Challenge is run by the Reading Agency every year to encourage children to read over the summer holidays and is open to children aged four to 11.