CHILDREN in Tenbury can sign up for a summer reading challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge is ready to launch for this year, and rocket back into action, with this year’s theme being Space Chase.

It marks an event that children will not remember.

The challenge, produced by The Reading Agency and delivered by Worcestershire Libraries, aims to encourage children aged between four and 12 to borrow and read six books over their summer holidays.

This year’s challenge is inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

“The Summer Reading Challenge is always a fun time of year,” said Lucy Hodgson, the Worcestershire County Council Cabinet member for communities.

“Seeing children getting excited about books and reading is wonderful to see and keeps children interested in reading over the summer holidays and out of school hours.

“It also keeps them using their local libraries across the county. Getting lost in the world of books really is a priceless experience.”

Last year, Worcestershire’s libraries had the highest percentage rate of finishers in the West Midlands and the highest number of young volunteers supporting the challenge.

Overall, the county’s libraries had 3,987 starters, 2,959 finishers, creating a 74% finish rate, and this year they’re looking to duplicate their success.

This year, Space Chase will be officially launched by Councillor Lucy Hodgson at the Malvern Science in the Park event. The launch will take place in the bandstand in Priory Park at 2pm.

Children will team up with futuristic family The Rockets for an exciting space mission as they track down books nabbed by a mischievous band of aliens.

As children read library books for this year’s challenge, they will receive special stickers, some with mysterious smells.

By adding these stickers to their collectable mission folders, young readers will help the Rockets solve clues, dodge asteroids and discover the missing books, having lots of fun and adventures along the way.

To take part in Space Chase, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library, where they will be given a collector folder to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey.

Launchpad events will be held in libraries and children can sign up to Space Chase at any Worcestershire Library.