A trio of young bookworms who completed a borough wide summer reading challenge have been awarded prizes.

The readers were invited to their local libraries where they each received a Kindle Fire 7 for winning the prize-draw contest.

Naumie Jape, six, Sophie White, seven, and Amaru Korsah, nine, each had to read at least six books over the summer holiday to be in with a chance of winning the prize.

Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in our summer reading challenge and especially those who completed it and the three prize winners.

“Reading is so important, and we want as many people as possible, including young people, to enjoy reading.

“Croydon’s 13 libraries provide a fantastic resource for communities to use and host a wide range of events throughout the year.”

The summer reading challenge saw primary aged children try to read at least six books between 14 July and 15 September.

This year 2,536 children participated in the challenge, reading at least one book, with 1,443 reading six or more and were presented with a certificate and medal as well as being entered into the prize draw.

Croydon-based global marketing engagement platform, dotmailer, supplied one of the three prizes which they helped present to Naumie along with Councillor Lewis.

Global HR director David Aldrich said: “This is a fantastic initiative to get local kids enthusiastic about reading. It teaches them to respect books and view reading as a pleasure rather than a chore.”

The Summer Reading Challenge is national initiative from The Reading Agency library to keep children reading throughout the summer and is supported by every London library.

During the summer, Croydon children borrowed and read 15,168 Croydon library books and 1,950 children attended a range of 85 free storytelling, craft, comics and music events in the borough’s libraries.