EVERY summer Somerset County Council’s libraries are buzzing with children taking part in The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge.

And this year’s Mischief Makers-themed reading event has proved to be no exception.

More than 300 children in Burnham-on-Sea flocked to the town's library in the summer holidays to read their favourite books and earn stickers.

In total 318 children signed up for the challenge, 214 certificates were awarded and 216 children read all six books they were tasked to, and received a certificate, a medal and had the chance to be entered into a prize draw.

A spokesman for Burnham Library, said: "It was great to see the children enjoying the whole experience of being in the library, choosing books and enjoying the activities there.

"There has been so much emphasis in education recently on targets, often unrealistic, that it is great to see a challenge which is fun and where children can choose books that they enjoy and at a comfortable level."

Overall 7,462 children in Somerset took part in this year's challenge and staff gave out 5,163 gold medals to the children who read all six books.

As well as reading the books, children were able to take part in a range of activities including making spiders, firing catapults full of marshmallows and making lots of slime.

Children who entered the prize draw met at David Bull Opticians in Burnham and three lucky winners were presented with gift vouchers.

Violet Derbyshire received a £25 gift voucher, Ella Weal a £15 voucher and Travis Saunders a £10 voucher, which can all be spent in GW Hurleys.

"The Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep children reading during their summer holidays, when reading habits often drop off," a spokesman for Burnham Library said.

"In particular it encourages reading for pleasure, by allowing children to read any six books they like from the library, and through helping reluctant readers to discover books they love."