Reading stars

More than 13,000 avid young readers took part in the Summer Reading Challenge Circus Stars held at libraries across the county.

The annual event is held nationally to encourage children to keep reading and enjoying books during the long holiday.

Wates Giving sponsored every book read – a total of 131,255 – and raised more than £5,000 for the charity.

They presented a cheque to the hospice on Saturday at a special event attended by Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins and Luton mayor Cllr Don Worlding.

Guests, including a group of 25 children and their families, were entertained by magician Magic Dave.

The youngsters, who’d successfully completed some of the challenges, were given book awards for their achievements by Keech fundraising manager Martin Randall.

Children could choose whatever they wanted to read from the enormous variety of books in their local library – anything from the hugely popular Horrid Henry titles to those about the solar system.

Everyone who took part received a fold-out circus stage and as they completed books they received stickers to decorate the stage.