HUNDREDS of children have taken part in a scheme encouraging them to read.

The Reading Voyage initiative, launched by Middlesbrough Council's libraries, challenged youngsters to read six books during the six-week schools' summer holiday.

To celebrate so many children achieving new goals in reading, the high scoring Mohawks Basketball team presented many of the boys and girls with prizes and certificates, before giving them a display of their sporting skills at the Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough.

Rita Wilson, library manager, said: "The Reading Voyage has been a great success with hundreds of children taking part. I hope they all enjoyed the display by the Mohawks and continue to enjoy reading books.