IT has been a good year for book worms in Gloucestershire, with more children taking part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge than last year.

Gloucestershire’s completion rate was one of the highest in the country this year and had the highest number of finishers in the South West.

This year 9,849 four to 12-year-olds took part in the Creepy House challenge in the county and more than 6,000 children completed it compared with 8,999 who took part in it last year with 5,831 completing it.

To complete the challenge, children needed to read six or more books during the school holidays.

They collected collect rewards along the way, as well as a medal or a certificate for successfully completing their challenge.

Gloucestershire had the highest number of children taking part and the highest number of finishers in the South West region.

Councillor Dorcas Binns, cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said: “Creepy House really had children and families engaged in reading over the school holidays.

"It’s great that even more children took part in the challenge this year than last – and that Gloucestershire had more participants than anywhere in the South West. Thanks to library staff and volunteers who really helped get children enthused about the challenge.

“Reading six or more book over the holidays can help children learn to love books, stories and reading, and prevent their reading from getting rusty before they go back to school.”

Gloucestershire libraries are already looking forward to next year’s Summer Reading Challenge of myths and legends, called The Mythical Maze.