Children using an innovative reading scheme have set a new record for the amount of minutes recorded.

A roadshow to announce that more than five million minutes of reading have been recorded has visited nine town centres across Kent.

Volunteers from Specsavers met shoppers in the town centre to talk to parents about the importance of reading with their children. The company is a supporter of Buster’s Book Club which encourages children’s reading through a series of inter-class and inter-school reading challenges.

More than 26,000 children at 90 primary schools in Kent and Medway use Buster’s Book Club each week.

Buster’s Book Club is a flagship element of KM’s Year of Reading campaign. Campaign co-ordinator Simon Dolby said: “It is so exciting that the children and families involved have achieved a record five million minutes of reading. The charity team is very grateful to Spescavers staff for their support in helping to champion children’s reading.”

Buster’s Book Club is supported by Kent Reliance, Eurostar, Orbit, Golding Homes, 3Rs teacher recruitment, Kent County Council, Kent Libraries and Medway Council. To find out more or to sign up your school, visit www.bustersbookclub.co.uk

Fact-file

• The number of schools using Buster’s Book Club has trebled over the last 12 months.
• The scheme’s triple challenge involves classes competing within school and across the district for rewards.
• When participating children collectively read more than onemillion minutes they become members of the KM Charity Team’s Reading Millionaires’ Club.
• Literacy Leaders wanting to trial Buster’s Book Club in their class for free can request a resource pack by emailing Charli Elvy on celvy@thekmgroup.co.uk