A MAGICIAN entertained children as a reward for completing the Summer Reading Challenge.

Libraries throughout Swindon challenged children to read six books over the summer holidays, as part of a national campaign called the Reading Planet.

The 1,200 children who successfully completed the task were invited to a party in the conference room at the Savoy in Regent Street.

They were split into two groups, with 600 at a time being delighted by Bryan the Magician's tricks, including creating balloon animals out of balloons.

More than 2100 children took part in the scheme, under which they read books about space.

Each participant received a space-themed sticker album at the start of the competition, and was given a sheet of colourful stickers to put into the album after they finished each book.

Rachel Douglass, a librarian in the Central library and the Summer Challenge Co-ordinator said: "The response this year has been absolutely fantastic, a phenomenal success, and has exceeded all expectations.

"We have double the number of children taking part in the scheme since it was set up four years ago, which means more children are being encouraged to develop a love of reading."