CHILDREN in Okehampton can take part in the annual Summer Reading Challenge thanks to the town's library.

Ever year, thousands of families across the country are involved in the Summer Reading Challenge, the UK's biggest reading event for children in libraries. The aim is to get children to read six books from their library during the summer holidays. The challenge is free, and helps children to keep their reading skills sharp during the school holidays.

The theme this year is 'Creepy House'. At the beginning of the holidays, children can go to the library and receive a membership pack by enrolling to take part. The challenge is designed for children of all ages and reading abilities. All types of books, from factual books to joke books, count toward the challenge, as do audio books.

Everybody who receives six or more books will receive a certificate and medal. There are stickers and other small prizes to collect along the way.

The challenge runs from July 13 until September 7. The first 75 children who complete it at the library will be invited to a certificate presentation with entertainment by Entertainingly Different.

Rob Pudner from Entertainingly Different will be at the library to launch the challenge on Saturday, July 13, telling stories and reading poems from 11am.

The library also has two creepy-themed activity sessions planned. On Monday, July 15, the under 5s can enjoy stories and crafts at the library from 2.30pm, based on the popular picture book Winnie the Witch. Children are also invited to come to the library on Monday, July 29 from 10.30am to 11.30am to help create a creepy library display, making bats, ghosts, spiders and other creepy creatures.