AN eight-year-old from Efford, near Shobrooke, has received an award after reading 100 books that she borrowed from Crediton Library.

Emily Meldon was presented with a Gold Booktrack Award at the library this week.

The awards are given to children who take part in a reading programme organised by Devon Library Service and the gold award is given to those who have read 100 books borrowed from a Devon library.

Emily started on the reading scheme on May 15 last year and completed the 100-book challenge in just eight months.

She was presented with her award certificate and badge by Beth Vaughan, one of the Crediton Library staff.

Emily said she particularly enjoyed reading the "Secret Kingdom" books by Rosie Banks, reading mostly at bedtime.

She is a pupil at Brampford Speke Church of England Primary School.

Emily enjoys ballet at the Katharine Mitchell School of Dance, a long-established local dance school and is excited that she will soon be appearing in "Coppelia" at the Princess Theatre in Torquay. She also enjoys horse riding.

Beatrice Coveney, librarian-in-charge at Crediton Library, praised Emily on completing the challenge and said: “It is a great scheme and gives the children the encouragement to carry on reading and develop the pleasure of reading.”

Alan Quick