Surrey County Council is calling on more than 50,000 youngsters to visit its libraries during the summer holidays to take up a reading challenge.

The council wants its 53,000 library members aged between four and 11 - and children in that age group who want to join up - to read six books during the long school holiday as part of the Quest Seekers' challenge.

It has teamed up with charity the Reading Agency to encourage children to take advantage of 300,000 children's books at its 52 libraries through the challenge, which started last week.

The theme is fantasy, encouraging children to enter a world of imagination and adventure at their local library.

Children can collect a Quest Seekers' membership card from their local library and start reading their way through the three stages of the Quest – Firebird Rising, Mountain Mission and Dragon’s Lair.

Each Quest Seeker will receive rewards such as stickers, a bookmark, a dragon model and a magic colour change pen at stages throughout the adventure. Children who finish all three stages will be rewarded with a medal and certificate.

• Got a young family? See our Families section for top hints and help