A NINE-YEAR-OLD from a south Shropshire School has been rewarded for a summer holiday well spent.

The Summer Reading Challenge is an initiative put on by the Reading Agency that encourages children aged 4 to 11 to read six books during the long summer holiday.

Every time children finish a book, they get stickers and rewards at their local library and there's a certificate and medal for everyone who finishes.

Ben Speich of Wentnor who is a pupil at Norbury School completed the challenge, reading all six books before the end of the first week of summer holidays, and collected his prizes from Bishop’s Castle Library.

“Ben took me up on this challenge and completed six challenges in six weeks at six Shropshire Libraries, travelling as far as Much Wenlock in his quest,” said Tara Lweis, acting branch manager at Bishops Castle Library.

“He read 36 books in total, collecting stamps from each library to prove he completed his mission.

“To congratulate him on his extraordinary feat of reading excellence, I attended the assembly at Norbury School to present Ben with a special trophy from Shropshire Libraries and to recognise all of the children who completed the challenge.

“Ben has been truly inspiring and as a result of his feat this summer, Shropshire Libraries will now have an annual shield to recognise children who complete exceptional achievements in reading.”

Caption: Ben Speich with Tara Lewis