THE SIX Book Challenge 2015 is now well under way in the Vale of Glamorgan with more 40 readers already signed up in Penarth, Barry and Llantwit Major.

The national reading challenge is aimed at anyone over the age of 16 who has got out of the habit of reading or needs a little extra help and encouragement to pick up a book and get into the habit.

The year's theme is Read Anything. Read Anywhere.

Libraries outreach officer Andy Griffiths said: "You can really read anything you like: newspapers, poems, plays, websites, books and more. Once you sign up you are given a reading diary to record your thoughts on the six things you read. Once you’ve completed the challenge you can enter a national prize draw."

Last year, prizes included Kobo eReaders and a trip to London.

She added: "In the Vale we like to extend the Challenge period over the summer holidays, to run concurrently with the Children’s Summer Reading Challenge, so anyone who misses out on the national award could win a prize in the local draw."

Courtney Simpson, a 17-year-old pupil at Ysgol y Deri in Penarth, won the award last year and was presented with her prize of a bright pink Hudl.2 from Andy Griffiths, the libraries’ outreach officer. Courtney has also signed up to participate in this year’s challenge.

Two other readers successful in last year’s challenge but unable to attend the presentation were Ellis Thompson-Criddle and Janet Edgar who have both had their £20 gift vouchers posted to them.

If any schools, clubs or workplaces would like to take place in this year’s Six Book Challenge please contact Andy at Barry Library on 01446 725381 in the first instance. The National draw takes place at the end of June, the local one in October.