MORE than 7,000 children visited libraries across Somerset to take part in ‘Space Chase’ – this year’s national Summer Reading Challenge inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

Children signed up to read up to six books over the summer and received rewards for every book they read. During the holidays more than 160,000 books were read and hundreds of children and families took part in free events held in their local libraries such as slime making, story times, 3D printing, Virtual reality, LEGO days, Nintendo Switch gaming events and many more.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge has been a tremendous success. Feedback from children and families has shown that this initiative makes a real impact to encourage reading, while the events and activities have raised the profile of libraries as engaging places to come and have fun!”