SEVERAL libraries in Tyrone are included in an exciting summer reading challenge for children from 12 to 14.

They are lin Moy, Dungannon, Coalisland, Fivemiletown, Cookstown and Moneymore, Last year in the Southern Education and Library Board area 5,630 children took part and read over 13,800 books.

This year's summer reading challenge has a sporting theme. It continues throughout the summer with the whistle to be blown for full-time on Saturday August 23.

So blast out of your starting blocks and sprint down to your local library! There you'll be given your special 'moving picture' membership card and fold-out poster.

Now you can race ahead in your reading, and collect stickers for your bronze and silver awards. Read six books and you'll cross the finishing line.

GOLD MEDAL

When you stand on the winners' rostrum you'll be presented with a Certificate and a special Team Read Gold Medal – the sign of a real reading champion!

To complete the challenge you need to go to your local library, fill in a registration card and get your Team Read membership card. Then read six books during the summer and collect the stickers to put on your fold-out poster.

There will rewards to collect along the way and a certificate to show you completed the challenge as well as a Team Read gold medal.

It's free to join the library as well as to take part in Team Read. If you're not a library member or have lost your card - no problem. Just ask your Mum or Dad to come with you to the library and they will sort things out for you.

Library staff will be on hand throughout the challenge to help and advise children with reading ideas.

Check out the website at www.teamread.co.uk