A PROJECT to encourage children to read during the school holidays has received funding.

Wilmslow Library has been awarded a Wilmslow Town Council community grant of £900 for activities to support this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

This initiative encourages pupils to continue good reading habits and active membership of their local library.

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The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK's biggest reading for pleasure programme for children and helps attract around 700,000 children into libraries each year.

Children who do not read over the long summer break can have a dip in their reading attainment levels when they return to school in September.

The library aims to encourage every child in Wilmslow to participate in the challenge and hosts a series of events to promote literacy.

The grant will be used to fund a Lego discovery day, provided by Lego education specialists, enabling 120 participants and their families to take part.

The money will also fund four additional science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and craft events run by library staff.

Town mayor Cllr Tim Higgins said: “Wilmslow Town Council are delighted to support Wilmslow Library’s Summer Reading Challenge again this year.

“We know that regular reading is beneficial to children, not just in their learning but also their health, wellbeing and many other ways.

“We are grateful to Wilmslow Library for organising these extra activities to support the Summer Reading Challenge.

“Good luck to all who are taking part.”