Suffolk Libraries is celebrating after record numbers of children completed the Summer Reading Challenge this year, with more than 8,300 picking up the equivalent of a book a week.

East Anglian Daily Times: Long Melford Library Summer Reading Challenge presentation. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESLong Melford Library Summer Reading Challenge presentation. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES (Image: Archant)

The national Summer Reading Challenge campaign by the Reading Agency tasks children with reading six books or more over the six week school summer holidays in a bid to promote reading for pleasure.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Stoke Library Summer Reading Challenge presentation. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESThe Stoke Library Summer Reading Challenge presentation. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES (Image: Archant)

Suffolk Libraries promotes the challenge at each of its branches, encouraging youngsters to pick up a book and recommending books.

East Anglian Daily Times: Summer Reading Challenge presentation at Mildenhall Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESSummer Reading Challenge presentation at Mildenhall Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES (Image: Archant)

This year, a total of 8,362 children across the county successfully completed the challenge – the highest ever in Suffolk.

East Anglian Daily Times: The presentation of Summer Reading Challenge certificates and medals at Newmarket Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESThe presentation of Summer Reading Challenge certificates and medals at Newmarket Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES (Image: Archant)

Krystal Vittles, Suffolk Libraries development manager and children’s lead, said: “We’re delighted that this year’s Summer Reading Challenge has been so popular yet again and it’s all down to the enthusiasm and hard work of our staff and volunteers.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Summer Reading Challenge presentation at Oulton Broad. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESThe Summer Reading Challenge presentation at Oulton Broad. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES (Image: Archant)

“It’s always great to see libraries buzzing with children and the reading challenge is one of the most important campaigns for our library service.”

East Anglian Daily Times: The Summer Reading Challenge presentation at Southwold Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESThe Summer Reading Challenge presentation at Southwold Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES (Image: Archant)

The number marks a fifth consecutive year the number of successful readers has increased, with youngsters having read a combined 85,000 books.

East Anglian Daily Times: Long Melford Library's Summer Reading Challenge presentation event which also included an animal encounter activity. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESLong Melford Library's Summer Reading Challenge presentation event which also included an animal encounter activity. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES

The library service has also reported that nearly 2,300 children have signed up for library cards over the summer break as well.

East Anglian Daily Times: Summer Reading Challenge, Great Cornard Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESSummer Reading Challenge, Great Cornard Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES

Suffolk Libraries chief executive Alison Wheeler said: “Apart from playing such an important role in promoting reading it’s also a brilliant way of introducing children to the library service and it’s great to see so many signing up for their first library card so they can take part and we hope they will keep coming back.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Summer Reading Challenge, Framlingham Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIESSummer Reading Challenge, Framlingham Library. Picture: SUFFOLK LIBRARIES

The challenge works to help keep children’s literacy and reading skills up during the summer, when traditionally a lack of reading at school means the amount of reading dips.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Summer Reading Challenge presentation event at Kesgrave LibraryThe Summer Reading Challenge presentation event at Kesgrave Library (Image: Archant)

Each year a different theme is used, with the 2017 topic on ‘animal agents’ helping inform arts and craft activities held.

East Anglian Daily Times: Iona receives her Summer Reading Challenge medal from Suffolk Libraries' chief executive Alison Wheeler at Kesgrave LibraryIona receives her Summer Reading Challenge medal from Suffolk Libraries' chief executive Alison Wheeler at Kesgrave Library (Image: Archant)

Youngsters who complete the challenge are given a medal and certificate.

Ms Vittles added: “Many children take part year after year and thousands also get their very first library card so they can take part so it’s a great way of getting children to discover the library from an early age.”