Summer reading challenge

Children in Moray are being urged to sign up to read six books during the summer as part of the latest Tesco Bank summer reading challenge.

The annual challenge, run by national charity the Reading Agency in partnership with Scotland’s libraries and Tesco Bank, encourages youngsters to stick their nose in a book during the summer holidays – a time when children’s literacy skills traditionally dip.

This year’s challenge theme is Animal Agents, based on a detective agency staffed by all kinds of animals.

To take part, children just need to head to their local library where they will be given a folder to keep a record of their summer reading.

Jane Sandell, senior children’s librarian with Moray Council’s libraries service, said: “Children love the reading challenge because it’s fun, parents like having a summer-long project to take part in and teachers see the educational benefits a summer of reading brings.

“It is such a good opportunity for children to discover new books and join in with different activities, and it is all free.”

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.