Pupils in Margate will get the reading bug thanks to their local Rotary Club supporting an initiative that rewards youngsters for hitting the books.

St Gregory’s Catholic Primary, on Nash Road, is the latest Thanet school to join Buster’s Book Club – a scheme that encourages pupils to spend more time reading at home.

More than 100 schools in Kent are signed up and racking up reading minutes with the promise of prizes for the top or most improved classes.

St Gregory’s staged a celebration assembly to officially launch Buster’s Book Club attended by special guests Roy Copper and Chris Burton from Rotary Club of Margate, which is funding the scheme, and the reading club’s mascot Buster Bug.

To start the scheme with a bang the first class to win the Reading Class of the Week Trophy will also receive tickets to Revolution Skatepark and Climbing Centre in Broadstairs.

Kay Devine, literacy co-ordinator for Buster’s Book Club, said: “The children are so excited to join Buster’s and I can’t wait to see their reading figures grow and grow.

“This was all made possible thanks to Rotary, who share our passion for child literacy. We are delighted to be working together to foster a love of reading across the school.”

Buster’s Book Club is supported by organisations including Kent County Council, Medway Council, Little Cheyne Court, Kent Community Foundation, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Orbit, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Specsavers, Acorns Read and Grow, Crown Foundation, EduKit, and Hornby.

Schools have until December 1 to register for 2019 and all applications will go into a prize draw to win 400 books for the school library.

Visit www.BustersBookClub.co.uk or contact Kay Devine at kdevine@thekmgroup.co.uk or on 0844 264 0291.