PORT Glasgow Town Hall was the site of an alien invasion when it hosted an out-of-this-world bash to mark the end of the space-themed summer reading challenge run by local libraries.

Over 180 children and 140 parents attended - along with a number of tentacled monsters and special guest author, Jonathan Meres.

This year 1,100 kids took part in the challenge – around one child in 10 in Inverclyde.

The figure represents a seven per increase on last year.

Each child was asked to read six books over the summer holidays and around 150 of them completed the challenge.

They each received a gold medal at the ceremony.

Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “This year’s space chase theme really captured children’s imaginations and Inverclyde libraries helped more kids than ever before to keep reading over the summer holidays.

"We’re delighted that so many children completed the challenge.

"It’s safe to say Inverclyde’s children have really have caught the reading bug!”

The reading challenge took place across the Inverclyde Libraries branch network and was supported by a full programme of events, with an activity taking place in at least one library in Inverclyde on every day of the school holidays.

The challenge is managed nationally by the Reading Agency and delivered locally by Inverclyde Libraries staff.

It is the UK’s biggest annual reading promotion for children aged four to 11 years old.