Children in Cornwall are being challenged to go on an out-of-this-world adventure for this year's Summer Reading Challenge.

The national event which runs from July 13 to September 14 encourages children to read over the summer holidays.

This year's theme is Space Chase, inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, and young readers will be tasked with reading six library books of their choice.

They can also join the space family, the Rockets, for a thrilling mission to track down books nabbed by mischievous aliens.

Across Cornwall there are over 40 free library events and activities themed for the Space Chase including:

Space themed Lego club at Redruth Library on summer Saturdays starting July 27

Space-themed activities at Falmouth Library every summer Tuesday starting July 30, space themed Lego on August 3 and space storytelling throughout the week starting August 12

Roseland Observatory presentations at Truro and Newquay Libraries on July 30, Par and Wadebridge Libraries on August 7 and Launceston Library on August 16

Craft session to make space rockets, flying saucers, robots and puppets of space-themed characters at St Austell Library on August 28, Saltash and Callington Libraries on August 29, Penryn and Camborne Libraries on August 30 and Redruth Library on August 31

The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at children aged four to eleven and is run in libraries across the UK to provide opportunities for children to read for pleasure rather than focusing on reading instruction.

Nearly 8,000 Cornish children participated last year and Cornwall led the way in the South West with 71% of readers completing the challenge.

To take part, children can visit their local library where librarians will register them for the Challenge and give them some fun materials to get them started. 

Children can also complete the challenge using Cornwall Libraries' free eResources and download books to read via the BorrowBox app.  Visit the Libraries page on the Cornwall Council website for more details.

There are also competitions, games and reading clubs online at www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.

Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council's Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Neighbourhoods, said: "This year's Summer Reading Challenge Space Chase is about to be lift off and we want as many children in Cornwall as possible to take part in this exciting mission to read for fun.

"Go to your local library, sign up for the Challenge and get reading!"

To find out more about Summer Reading Challenge events in Cornish libraries go to Cornwall Libraries on Facebook or @LibraryCornwall on Twitter.