A RECORD 10,894 children visited Hillingdon libraries to take part in this year’s national Summer Reading Challenge.

It ranked the borough as the second highest for participation in London.

It also had the highest number of children, 5,300, completing the challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge is organised by the Reading Agency and aims to encourage children aged 4-11 to visit the local library and read six books of their choice.

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The theme for 2019, Space Chase, marked the 50th anniversary of the moon landings, and the council's collectable cards, known as Starborgs, featured 20 creatures that were fittingly out of this world.

Children were given rewards for reading, including monster pencils, alien stickers and flying finger rockets. Those who visited on six occasions were given a certificate and a medal.

Activities included a space camp at the Great Barn in Ruislip, while the Winston Churchill Theatre in Ruislip was transformed into an experimental rocket site as part of a theatre show.