LIBRARIES in Mid Cheshire have presented young readers will medals and certificates to recognise their completion of an important mission.

Over the summer, libraries across the county have run The Reading Challenge, aimed at encouraging four-to 12-year-olds to read six or more books of their choice, with those meeting the challenge being designated as Special Reading Agents.

One presentation was held at Winsford Library and librarian Ian Anstice was delighted to see so many young bibliophiles attending.

He said: 'When children leave school at the end of the summer term they often don't do any reading or other academic activities and it's been proven that this means that their reading age suffers. So the Reading Mission encourages children to use the library and it's a great way to maintain an interest in books.

'It also gets them to see the other facilities we have here, such as with the lending of CDs, DVDs and games.

'We welcome thousands of children every year and the mission is the most successful promotion we do in the library, with every school taking part. This year it was particularly aimed at boys, as they do suffer disproportionately with not reading compared to girls. That's why we had the Secret Agent theme.

'We had 125 children over two events and it was nice to see them all in the library. And they loved it as they got a medal and certificate each, which is a big thing.

'I had some of the mums saying to me how their children's certificates were now on the wall and that their children had taken their medals to school to show in assembly.'

Other presentations took place at Northwich and Sandiway libraries.