Halton Libraries reported a successful summer in celebrating the creative arts during the school holidays.

The Summer Reading Challenge, themed 'Marvellous Makers', saw 803 children signing up to read six books over the summer, with 529 successfully completing the challenge.

The initiative, run by local libraries in partnership with The Reading Agency, aims to prevent the summer dip in reading and facilitate smooth transitions to new year groups and key stages.

The libraries plan to expand the challenge's reach in the coming years, with a more targeted approach, additional funding, and more partnerships.

The libraries also organised a series of fairy-tale themed summer events, including a visit from musical storyteller Rachel R, who helped children narrate the story of Sleeping Beauty using various musical instruments.

Arts and crafts events, hosted by library assistants in all four libraries, and a visit from Mama G, a panto dame and storyteller, were also part of the summer festivities.

Alongside regular events like Rhyme Time, Saturday Stories, Lego Club, and Brilliant Builds, Halton Libraries engaged 3,510 children and adults over the six-week summer holidays, issuing 17,900 children and teen books.

A spokesperson for Halton Libraries said: "It has been a super summer in our libraries!"