Balloon powered car making, reading marathon or music mayhem – these are just some of the activities children aged 11 and under have available as part of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Team Read – in Merton libraries until 6 September. All Team Read challengers have an exciting opportunity to win a Nintendo Wii when they complete the challenge of reading six books before the summer is out.

The scheme aims to give children an opportunity to meet new friends over the summer holidays while developing their taste for reading with fun and interesting activities. To tie in with the Olympics, this year’s theme is sport, so children will have the opportunity to take part in sports themed activities, such as making Olympic medals and winners’ rosettes.

So far the reading challenge is proving popular with over 1,600 children already taking part in the scheme but there are still places available. To join in the fun children just need to visit their library and enrol for free.

Councillor Maurice Groves, Cabinet Member for Community Services, says: “This is yet another example of Merton Council putting children in the borough first through this exciting scheme that will help them make the most of their summer holidays.

“Young people interested in making new friends, learning about sports and stretching their minds in a few reading sessions whilst having the chance to win a Nintendo Wii should head down to their local library to make sure they are not missing out on the fun this summer.”