More than 1,700 schoolchildren registered for this year's Summer Reading Challenge in Carmarthenshire.

Carmarthenshire County Council said this was an increase from last year.

The council hopes the challenge will help tackle the statistic that one in four children cannot read well by the age of 11.

The challenge encourages children to read during the summer holidays to ensure they are prepared for the new school year in the autumn.

Children set their own reading goals and earn rewards for reading anything they enjoy for free.

This year's challenge, named Marvellous Makers, was centred around creativity and organised in partnership with Create, a leading arts charity.

It offered a variety of activities, from dance to junk modelling, and saw an 'excellent' uptake from readers aged between four and 11 years old.

A mini challenge was also held for pre-schoolers.

Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member for regeneration, leisure, culture, and tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans, attended Carmarthen Library to present the Summer Reading Challenge shield for the Carmarthen region to Richmond Park School.

Cllr Evans said: "It was great to be in attendance at Carmarthen Library today to celebrate the impressive achievement by these young people.

"This challenge is a great way to boost children’s confidence when it comes to reading and supporting their move to a new school group or key stage in the autumn.

"Having a good level of reading is vital in increasing a child’s self-esteem and life skills.

"It’s a great project to promote reading and literacy skills throughout the summer holiday offering incentives, certificates, and medals for reading a minimum of six books.

"Congratulations to Richmond Park School."

Prizes included family tickets for Theatrau Sir Gâr, Pendine Museum of Speed, the leisure centre, and Pembrey Country Park.

Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman won the Ammanford regional shield, and Old Road School won the Llanelli regional shield.

The council hopes more children will participate in the Summer Reading Challenge next year, enjoying reading for pleasure and enjoyment.