CHILDREN are being encouraged to sign up for a summer reading challenge to fill their summer holidays.

The theme for the reading challenge is Animal Agents and every Thursday from July 27 sees an animal activity session taking place where children can learn how animals use their skills.

The sessions take place on the hour every hour, between 10am and 2pm for a 45 minute duration with each session having a different theme.

Janine Downes, The Hive library manager said: "Animal Agents is a great theme for the summer reading challenge and really helps to encourage and inspire children to get involved in the challenge and keep their reading going whilst they are not at school.

"We have got lots of animal activities for children to take part in across the summer holidays and really hope that these activities will motivate even more children this year to complete the challenge as well."

This year's challenge in Worcester is being launched at The Hive on Saturday July 1 from 10am until 3pm.

Families with children aged between four and 12 are invited to sign up to the challenge take part in free activities and meet experts from several local animal organisations.

There will be a chance to meet the Pets As Therapy dogs and guide dogs.

Children can also take part in free activities at The Hive every day during the school holidays between 10am to 3pm, including quizzes and games, as well as daily story time sessions at 11am and 2.45pm.

The summer reading challenge is a national scheme produced by The Reading Agency which takes place every year and is delivered by libraries.

The scheme is designed to prevent children's reading from dipping over the summer break by encouraging children to read six books over the holidays with the promise of medals and certificates for finishers.

Each session costs £2.50, booking online is recommended at www.thehiveworcester.org/family-events