A NEW summer reading challenge for children across Devon is set to be launched.

Bookworms will be able to take part in the Summer Book Quest: Deep Sea Adventure from Saturday, July 12 until Saturday, September 6.

To complete the quest, children have to do three things: visit the library, read what they like and complete one or more of the Summer Book Quest activities.

Each completed task gives them a sticker and once they have them all they get a finisher sticker, keyring and certificate.

Participants can either count how many books they read or how often they read for 10 minutes or more.

The Summer Book Quest is based on Libraries Unlimited’s popular reading challenge The Secret Book Quest for five- to 12-year-olds.

The theme for the first year is the “Deep Sea Adventure”, inspired by the Underwater Zone in the Secret Book Quest.

Devon children’s author Dan Metcalf was commissioned to create the story, which introduces new characters including Ninja Starfish. Emily Fox, who created the illustrations for The Secret Book Quest and Libros Friends, has illustrated the challenge.

“It is more vital than ever to encourage children to enjoy reading,” Libraries Unlimited Reading Development Manager Sophie Crofts said.

“One in four children hasn't reached the expected level of reading by the age of 11. It has been proven that reading for pleasure is more important for children's cognitive development than their parents' level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background.

“As Devon is a coastal county, the underwater theme allows connection with our communities, and we can promote the importance of looking after our oceans and planet.”

The challenge is free to join. To take part, children can visit their local library to get a pack to get started.