RECORD number of children took part in this summer’s reading challenge with over 37,000 stories read across the county.

The Beano themed Mischief Makers summer reading challenge was carried out by 9,398 readers aged between four and 11.

A 10-year-old girl from Chippenham said: “I really enjoyed the reading challenge. Instead of watching YouTube before bedtime I read a chapter. I will always read before bedtime because of the reading challenge.”

A Chippenham parent said: “The reading challenge is the only thing that motivates my son to read over the holidays. He gets so excited about doing it. It’s the highlight of the holidays.”

John Thomson, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for libraries, said: “Our Beano-themed Mischief Makers challenge was hugely popular.We would like to thank all the volunteers who supported the children taking part. Alongside our staff, they really helped to make it a special and fun experience.” The challenge is organised by national charity The Reading Agency and over 250 volunteers helped run the programme throughout the county. Children received Dennis the Menace wristbands as well as a sticker book to boost reading.