Children are being encouraged to take part in an annual summer holiday challenge.

East Sussex libraries said people aged between four and 11 can take part in The Reading Agency's Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge 2024 by reading six books over the summer.

The theme of this year’s challenge was developed in partnership with leading arts charity Create and aims to get children to express themselves and their creativity through reading.

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Over the summer, children taking part in the challenge will be able to discover new stories and join in with free activities at all East Sussex libraries.

This will include music, dance, drawing and painting.

Six fictional Marvellous Maker characters, who make amazing things inspired by their favourite books, will be brought to life through activity sheets as young readers are encouraged to become Marvellous Makers themselves.

Children who take part will receive special Marvellous Makers stickers and other rewards.

After reading six books they will earn a certificate and a medal for completing the challenge.

The annual event started last week and runs until September 7 in all East Sussex libraries across the county.

For more information on the challenge and how to sign up, people can visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/src.

Councillor Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment at East Sussex County Council, said: “Keeping children reading over the long summer break is so important.

“Reading sparks imagination and creativity and we hope this year’s Challenge will inspire children’s inner storytellers and encourage them to express themselves through creativity and reading.

“Last year over 7000 East Sussex children took park in the reading challenge – I hope even more children across the county will sign up this year and help us beat that total.”

Children can read any library book of their choice including fiction, non-fiction, picture books or books they share with their parents and carers.

EBooks, eAudiobooks and books on CDs also count towards the reading challenge.

The event ends on September 7.