YOUNGSTERS from the Northallerton area have been congratulated on their dedication to reading.

Twenty four youngsters, aged from seven to 11, completed the Reading Planet challenge set by North Yorkshire County Council. Councillor John Dennis presented each of them with certificates and medals at a ceremony at the town's library.

The Reading Planet is a summer scheme aimed mainly at primary school children, encouraging them to keep reading through the school holidays by borrowing and grading books from their local library.

Coun Dennis said: "The library service has been running similar challenges for several years, but this has been the most popular one yet.

"Parents have told library staff how their children have never been so enthusiastic about reading library books. This highlights the county council's commitment to providing a quality service to library users of all ages.

"Indeed, only recently we extended the opening hours in many libraries across the county. Northallerton Library is now open on Saturday afternoons, which proved a very convenient time to get the children together for these awards."