A TOTAL of 2,179 children took up Thurrock Council's Summer Reading Challenge to read books over the summer holidays, with Thurrock libraries also picking up 1,665 new members in July and August.

For the second year running, Kenningtons Primary Academy won the Summer Reading Challenge School Shield. Woodside Academy came in second place.

Almost half of the Kenningtons pupils joined in the challenge with 40 per cent of joiners completing the goal of reading six books or more over their summer holidays.

Kenningtons headteacher Jo Sawtell-Haynes said: "We are incredibly proud to have won the Reading Challenge, which is a wonderful reflection of the enthusiasm of our pupils and the commitment of our families. Our parents play such an important role in nurturing a love of reading, ensuring that their children have regular opportunities to visit the library."

Of the 2179 children joining this year's Summer Reading Challenge 'Read to the Beat', 1,297 children completed the six-book challenge.

There were more than 54,000 issues and renewals of items during the months of July and August. The majority of these, 36,500 items, were children's and teenage fiction and non-fiction.

Many children and families joined the free summer events in libraries, featuring stories and crafts, and for the babies and toddlers, special summer rhyme times. Those who successfully completed the challenge received a special wooden medal and a certificate in the library. Babies and toddlers who took part received a sticky gold medal and a certificate.

Cllr George Monk, cabinet member for Heritage and Culture, said: "Congratulations to the pupils, teachers and parents at Kenningtons Primary and to all the children and young people who took part in the challenge.

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"It's great to see so many young people and their families getting involved in the Summer Reading Challenge, and enjoying our wonderful libraries, which play such a vital role in the education of our children, and as the heart of our local neighbourhoods.

"It is brilliant that our libraries gained so many new members this summer, helping to keep our borough reading."