Young readers saluted at city awards event

They were honoured by Swansea Council's libraries service after excelling in the city's annual Summer Reading Challenge. Others were honoured for volunteering at libraries around Swansea.

Council cabinet member Elliott King said: "Our library staff are at the heart of their communities - and they were delighted to highlight the fact that young people love reading and books."

The challenge, presented by The Reading Agency and supported by Welsh Government and Book Council of Wales, is the UK's biggest reading for pleasure programme for primary school aged children.

In Swansea, nearly 2,900 children joined this year's challenge, with around 1,460 completing it by reading six books over the summer.

During the challenge, Swansea libraries loaned more than 53,000 children's books, e-audiobooks and e-books. They supported the initiative - this year themed Ready, Set, Read! - with around 360 events and activities, attracting more than 6,750 children.

The awards event took place at Swansea's National Waterfront Museum and saw Lord Mayor of Swansea Cllr Graham Thomas present certificates to local young readers who completed Ready, Set, Read!

Thanks were given to young volunteers who supported activities in libraries over the summer.

Photo: Librarian Carole Billingham at the Swansea Libraries Summer Reading Challenge awards event.