Youngsters who took part in an innovative scheme designed to improve literacy among families have been awarded for their achievements.

Over 30 children received certificates and prizes from the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Brian Briggs, after taking part in the national Summer Reading Challenge, Quest Seekers, which has been delivered by Redcar & Cleveland College, in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Library Services team.

As part of the programme, which aims to improve literacy through innovative and interactive storytelling, children constructed a giant model dragon at Redcar’s Central Library.

For six weeks, children taking part attended workshops at the library where, with the help of the college’s Community Animateurs, they constructed the dragon and completed activities, including story sessions, creating storysacks, arts and crafts sessions and digital imaging, based around the dragon.

And children Jack Borrell, Bradley Moore and Hannah Cook each won a competition in their individual session groups to name the dragon, with their suggestions, Ivan, Fireblaster, and Hiccup.

Michael Kinder, External Projects Co-ordinator at Redcar & Cleveland College, said: “The Quest Seekers’ programme is just one of the many ways that the library and college are engaging with the local community to help increase participation in learning and boost achievement levels among local people, both young and old.

“By working in partnership with organisations such as Redcar and Cleveland Council, we are able to maximise the opportunities available to our young people and develop their core skills in literacy and love of learning from an early age.”

Redcar Mayor Cllr Briggs said: “It’s fantastic to be here today to meet with the young people who have achieved so much over the summer holidays.

“Programmes such as the one we are recognising today are invaluable in introducing young people to the pleasure of reading books and also giving them something worthwhile to do with their time over the holiday period.”

The Community Animateurs Project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and is delivered by Redcar & Cleveland College, in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Council's Library Service. The project has been a huge success, with over 4,000 individuals having been directly involved, and many more gaining knowledge of the project, which has led to further learning opportunities.

View more photos from the event, including pictures of all the children who were awarded certificates here.