Local residents are being encouraged to take part in the Staffordshire Summer Reads Challenge, with a chance for participants to win prizes and have their reviews published.

The challenge, being organised by Staffordshire County Council's Libraries service, is asking people to read any four books over the summer and submit short reviews.

People can read and review any book they choose including fiction, non-fiction, classic, autobiography or the latest thriller. E-books and e-audiobooks are all allowed.

The best reviews will be shared on the libraries Facebook page over the Summer with the overall winners receiving prizes of a hamper or book vouchers.

Gill Heath, Libraries Chief at Staffordshire County Council said: "Summer is a great time for a good read, and we all love to share our opinions on a good or bad book.

"With our libraries now starting to reopen following lockdown, taking part in our challenge is a great opportunity to get adults reading more and to try doing their own book review.

"We are offering an 'order and collect' service in some of our libraries to start with, so please order your books online or telephone 0300 1118000. If you can't make it to any of our libraries, remember we have thousands of titles from our eLibrary, so be sure to become a library member to get access to all these titles too."

Staffordshire's libraries have started a phased reopening with Burton, Newcastle and Stafford libraries already open. Cannock, Leek, Lichfield, Perton and Tamworth libraries will open on Monday 20th July, with Biddulph, Burntwood, Codsall, Kidsgrove, Rugeley, Stone, Uttoxeter and Wombourne scheduled for 27th July.

Community Managed Libraries are being fully supported by the county council and are being encouraged to reopen at their own pace.

The Staffordshire Summer Reads Challenge launched on Friday 17 July and people have until Sunday 6 September to submit their entries. People can Submit their book reviews and find out more here.