Children in Cumbria will be able to participate in the annual reading challenge which kicks off this weekend. 

Saturday, July 15 marks the beginning of the national event, with Cumberland Building Society offering up a Kindle eReader as a prize for one lucky child who completes the challenge. 

Those between 4-11 can participate by signing up with their local library, while children three and under are also encouraged to take part in a 'mini challenge'. 

In order to be in with a chance of winning, children must read six books of any genre and report back to their library before the competition ends in mid-September. 

Cllr Anne Quilter, Executive Member of Vibrant and Healthy Places for Cumberland Council, said: "The summer reading challenge is a great activity to keep children reading during the school holidays, and the chance to win one of the fantastic prizes is a real bonus!

"Don’t forget the libraries’ digital offer too, which provides access to thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks for free to your smart device from the comfort of your home."

Borrowbox is also free to library members and is a great way to get free access to Audiobooks and eBooks that can all be used to complete the challenge this summer. 

Cllr Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member of Sustainable Communities and Localities for Westmorland and Furness Council, said;

"Our libraries are amazing places! You can go on free visits to other countries and planets, to the past and the future. You can find out about all sorts of real things – stars, birds and dinosaurs - in your own way.

"You can feel what it’s like to be someone else, somewhere else, an animal or a magical creature. Everyone knows reading can help you do well at school but it's fun anyway - books beat boredom and help you feel good and have great ideas of your own! 

"For parents and carers, nothing could be better for every aspect of children’s development than reading with you (and later on their own). In our libraries reading is always free and fun for grownups and children alike and the summer reading challenge will make it even more exciting."

Children can also help boost their school up the reading rankings by downloading the Street Tag app and adding the QR codes of the books they have read in order to earn points. 

More details about the challenge and how to sign up can be found online.