A RECORD-breaking 26,638 children have taken part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – the total represents a 1,200 incease over last year’s event.

This year’s participants – aged four to 11 – were tasked with reading six books borrowed from Hampshire libraries over a two-month period from mid-July to mid-September.

Council executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, councillor Andrew Gibson, said: “Congratulations to all our young readers who have completed the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge – helping to set a fantastic new record.

“It’s been great seeing children getting into the spirit of the event and enjoying this year’s theme of Animal Agents. My thanks go to all our staff and volunteers who have played such an important part in this year’s achievement – through a raft of activities including hosting school assemblies and running the challenge every day in library branches across the county.”

To find out more about the volunteering opportunities available with Hampshire Libraries visit www. hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives and search for ‘volunteering’.