MORE than 100 children were rewarded for their appetite for reading at St John's Library on Saturday.

Proud parents gathered to see the mayor of Worcester, councillor Roger Knight, hand 133 children their certificates for completing this year's Summer Reading Challenge at 10am.

The Reading Challenge is part of a national scheme which aims to get children reading over the summer holidays, and library manager Lynne Shave said this year's event was a success.

She said: "The challenge has been running for 15 years with a different theme each year. This year's theme was 'record breakers', and having 133 children take part was certainly very good to see. 

"Those who read six books over the holidays get a reward at the end, it's a great incentive to keep reading even when school has ended for the year.

"I want to thank the parents and teachers for encouraging the children to read, and the volunteers and staff who helped out with the challenge. It's fantastic, and I think every year we see more and more children getting involved in reading. I think the challenge helps encourage a lifelong love of books."

Alan Thomasson, who lives in St John's, said his nine-year-old daughter, Lilyana, enjoyed the challenge.

"Lilyana loves reading anyway, so she had a great time. She read about 15 books throughout the holidays, I'm very proud of her," he said.

St John's Library also holds activities for families throughout the year, including Family Fun Time every second Saturday of the month from 10am until midday, and Playaway for toddlers on a Tuesday morning.