MORE than 3,000 children from across the Bradford District took part in the latest annual Summer Reading Challenge.

The challenge, run by Bradford Council, sees children aged between four and 12 tasked with reading more books over the Summer holidays.

Over the holidays, children across the district were challenged to borrow and read at least six books, with a reward for each book they read.

They also took part in activities and events in libraries to support this year’s theme of sport, named "Ready Set Read".

More than 1,600 children completed the challenge by reading six or more books - a 10 per cent increase on those completing last year.

The 116 activities and events for the challenge attracted 3,102 children and 1,979 adults, an increase of 93 per cent in participation from 2022.

Events in local libraries included a visit from children’s author Tom Palmer, workshops with the National Science and Media Museum, the Council’s Museums and Galleries Service, Bradford Park Avenue Football Club, the University of Bradford, and drama performance sessions with actor Robin Simpson, Mud Pie Arts and Same Difference Arts.

There were 72,500 books loaned to children over the summer reading challenge period - over 20,000 more books borrowed compared to the same period in 2022.

More than 835 children also became new members of the library - a 126 per cent increase on last year.