CHILDREN are being urged to take part in a summer reading challenge.

Worcestershire County Council libraries and learning service are inviting Worcestershire families with children aged between 4 and 12 to the launch of Animal Agents, summer reading challenge 2017.

The launch is taking place at National Trust Croome, near Pershore on Saturday June 24 from 10am until 4pm.

The challenge is a national scheme produced by The Reading Agency which takes place every year as children's reading abilities can dip over the long summer break.

Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member with responsibility for communities said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with National Trust Croome again this year for the launch of the summer reading challenge.

"The summer reading challenge is such a brilliant scheme and because of the support of our partners, and the energy and enthusiasm of the library teams and volunteers our launch events get bigger and better every year.

"But most importantly more and more children in Worcestershire are taking part as it really makes a difference to reading skills and enjoyment over the long summer holiday. "

Readers are challenged to read six books over the summer holidays.

On the launch day, there will be a talk from comic creators The Etherington Brothers, creators of Monkey Nuts and contributors to Star Wars, Transformers, the Dandy and Wallace and Gromit.

In addition,storytelling sessions, a theatre performance from The Royal Grammar School and music from Worcestershire Intermediate Wind Orchestra will also take place.

Entry to National Trust Croome is free to all families who are library members and whose children sign up to the challenge on the day, children can also sign up at any of the county's libraries from Saturday June 24.