Records have been smashed for a KM home reading scheme to boost child literacy levels across the county.

Pupils taking part in Buster’s Book Club have notched up more than two million minutes of home reading this academic year - trouncing the one million target figure.

Twenty-six thousand children at 90 schools in Kent took up the challenge which is run by the KM Charity Team.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the scheme, said: “We are delighted that children and families involved with Buster’s Book Club have done so fantastically well this academic year. We set them a really tough challenge and they have already smashed it! We are on course for a blockbuster year.”

An event staged at Canterbury Library announced that 2.3 million minutes of reading had been achieved.

Karina Philip, English subject leader at St Stephen’s Junior School, attended the event.

“We are really happy to be a part of anything that celebrates books and provides reading for enjoyment,” she said. “Some children need that little extra bit of encouragement to put down those gadgets and this is it!”

Year 5 pupil Jamie Cutmore added: “When a teacher asks you to read a book it can be boring, but when you know it’s a competition and you can win prizes, it’s so much more fun!”

Buster’s Book Club is a flagship feature of KM Year of Reading and is supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, Kent Libraries, Three R’s teacher recruitment, Kent Reliance, Specsavers, Bel UK, Orbit housing association, Leeds Castle and Golding Vision.

For information visit bustersbookclub.co.uk