HUNDREDS of Inverclyde children booked a place at a grand gala finale to celebrate their reading exploits over the last few months.

Boys and girls from across the district were recognised at an awards event in Greenock Town Hall to celebrate their completion of the annual Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge hosted by Inverclyde Council libraries.

More than 1,000 youngsters signed up to take part over the holidays, with 200 of them making their way through six books in as many weeks.

Those who managed the feat were awarded gold medals and treated to a magic show in the town hall.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, education and communities convener, said: "Once again the summer reading challenge has been a huge success and hugely popular.

"Over 1,000 signed up to take part and they have had great fun and learned a great deal from the pages of the books they have read.

"The whole idea is to encourage our children to brush up their reading skills over the summer and to stay enthusiastic about books."

Those who took part in the challenge, with support from their families, were encouraged to visit their local library, read books and take part in fun activities.

This year's theme, 'Mischief Makers', was inspired by the 80th anniversary of the iconic children's comic The Beano.

The challenge is the UK's biggest annual reading promotion for those aged four to 11, although all children can take part.

To take part, youngsters need to have their own library membership and everyone involved is given a Beanotown map, Mischief Makers bookmark and wristband.

As part of the challenge, storytelling sessions and arts and craft events were held at libraries across Inverclyde.

Those who completed the challenge but were unable to attend the Town Hall prizegiving can collect their gold medal from their local library.