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Young Readers Celebrate Millionaire Status

Young children bitten by the reading bug who have successfully completed an exciting challenge are celebrating their new 'millionaire' status.

The Read a Million Words project, run by Poole Library Service, encourages children to read for pleasure and become reading 'millionaires'. More than 1000 children across Poole have taken up the challenge since its launch in April and 41 have already gained millionaire status.

The achievements of the children who have completed the challenge will be celebrated at Poole Central Library on Saturday 11 July.

Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, Borough of Poole, said: "It is fantastic to see so many children taking part in this challenge. Reading a million words is a huge achievement, and it is great to see the children being rewarded for their enthusiasm and achievements by being invited to this event. Hopefully more children will be encouraged to join the project and reach the million-word target."

Borough of Poole's library service is the first in the country to invite children to accept the Read a Million Words challenge.

The idea challenges children to read a million words. All words count towards the million-word target, from books to cereal packets, road signs to comics. Children taking the challenge keep special 'passports' to log their achievements and can gain eight rewards as an incentive to become reading millionaires.

Eleven-year old Joshua Osbourne recently became a millionaire and is excited to receive his medal and certificate on Saturday. He said: "The prizes for the Read a Million Words challenge were much better than in previous reading challenges. I am really pleased that I am one of the first to finish and I'm looking forward to the celebration at Poole Library."

Families are able to take part in the challenge and parents can encourage their children by reading to them as those words count too.

Children interested in becoming reading millionaires can sign up to the Read a Million Words challenge by picking up a special reading passport at any Poole library.

For more information about the Read a Million Words project visit www.ramwpoole.org.uk , or contact John Lane, Poole Library Service, on 01202 262433.