CHILDREN across Thurrock are being invited to take part in this year's Summer Reading Challenge, which has launched in libraries across the borough this July.

All children can sign up from tomorrow (Saturday, 11 July) and can start receiving their stickers from Monday, 20 July.

Run by The Reading Agency and delivered through public libraries, the main annual challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to keep reading during the school holidays; helping to boost their confidence, skills and passion for books while school is out.

There is also a Mini Challenge for the under 4's, where families can share stories together and collect rewards along the way. Children who take part can earn their own stickers, certificate and a special gold sticker medal for completing the challenge.

This year's theme, "Read to the Beat", celebrates the connection between music and storytelling, inspiring children to discover the joy of reading through rhythm, creativity and self-expression.

The challenge is completely free and open to all children. Families can sign up at their local library, where children can set their own reading goals, choose books they enjoy, and collect rewards such as stickers, a medal and certificate for their achievements. If children read a seventh and eight book, they receive a limited edition "Reading Rocks" kit bag.

Research shows that reading for pleasure is a key indicator of a child's development, yet only one in three children currently enjoy reading, and one in four leave primary school unable to read well. The Summer Reading Challenge helps tackle this by keeping children engaged with reading over the holidays and ready to return to school.

Last year alone, more than 575,000 children took part nationally, reading nearly 12 million books between them.

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Thurrock Libraries will be supporting the challenge with a range of free activities and events throughout the summer, giving families opportunities to take part together and explore what their local library has to offer.

Residents who are not yet library members can join online quickly and easily by visiting: https://libraries.thurrock.gov.uk/digital-content/joining-the-library

Children can also take part online at the Summer Reading Challenge website, logging their reading and unlocking digital rewards.

The Summer Reading Challenge is running until Saturday, 5 September; residents can check the Thurrock Libraries website for upcoming events and activities throughout the summer.