THE launch of a nationwide reading challenge was held for book lovers in the town last night.

The Six Book Challenge 2011, a free event run by the Reading Agency, is designed to get more people reading and the launch party was held at the Central Library.

Now in its fourth year, the Six Book Challenge invites less confident readers to read six books and record their progress in a diary.

People taking part in the challenge will be supported with incentives and rewarded with a certificate at the end.

Last year, 160 people signed up in the town, mostly from Swindon College and New College, but this year Swindon Council’s library service is hoping to get more firms involved with Wincanton Logistics, based at South Marston industrial estate, already signed up.

Of those that took part in the challenge last year, 90 per cent said they felt more confident about reading, while 80 per cent said they expected to use a library more often to borrow books.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, cabinet member for leisure and corporate services said: “The Six Book Challenge has helped so many people pick up the reading bug and I would urge as many people as possible to sign up to this year’s challenge.”

Librarian Leon Flower said: “This is one of the really important services that the library offers, reading is so important in everyday life.

“It is not just aimed at those adults who struggle with their reading, but for people who would find it a challenge to read six books in that time period – I consider myself to be one of those people - I have a four-year-old daughter and I work so finding time to read is often quite difficult.”

Anyone who wants to take part in the challenge should write to Leon Flower, Central Library, Regent Circus, Swindon, SN1 1QG, call 01793 463238 or email lflower@swindon.gov.uk.

Alternatively visit www.swindon.gov.uk/libraries, or www.sixbookchallenge.org.uk.