YOUNG students at Tavistock College are motoring through the school's library books, after a Plymouth furniture supplier piled on the prizes.

The school approached Plymouth's Fairway Furniture for help after huge numbers of Year 7 and 8 students took up the challenge of the Accelerated Reader (AR) programme.

Literacy administrator Charlotte Meneer, who oversees the programme, said: 'AR really inspires students to read and encourages a love of reading.

'Students now think of the library as an exciting place to be where, even those students who were reluctant readers, are enjoying reading.

'We start by setting their optimal reading level at the beginning of the year and suggesting the appropriate book for their reading ability.

'Once they have read a book, they take part in an online quiz that poses questions relating to the story. This encourages them not just to skim-read a book but to actually pay attention to what they are reading.'

If the students achieve a 100% score in the quiz they receive an instant prize such as a novelty rubber or pencil and are put into a draw that takes place at the end of term in a special assembly. The more times they achieve 100%, the more times they are entered in the draw.

The main prizes, funded by Fairway Furniture, range from bundles of books and book vouchers to a Kindle.

Peter Harding, managing director of Fairway Furniture, said: 'As a former Tavistock College student, I'm delighted that we are able to sponsor this brilliant programme. 

'Reading is a key skill and helps young people to develop a good vocabulary — one of the things people like me look for in potential employees.

'In addition, Accelerated Reading adds a slight competitive edge, which helps boys, who are often less enthusiastic about reading than girls, to get involved.'

In 2012 nearly every Year 7 student took part in the programme.

All of them have continued with the programme in Year 8 and the new 2013 Year 7 intake are hot on their heels in the reading race to win prizes.