CREATIVE people in Hillingdon are being urged to design this year's Summer Reading Challenge Starborg cards.

The cards, the council's answer to Top Trumps, feature animal characters and are a hugely popular reward for borrowing books.

Each year, libraries give away thousands of these unique collectible items to children as part of the initiative.

The Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep children reading throughout the school summer holidays and will start on Saturday, July 11. The theme for 2020 is Silly Squad, a celebration of funny books.

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Residents are being encouraged to design this year's Starborg cards, using the theme as inspiration.

They can look at last year’s Starborgs for ideas at //www.hillingdon.gov.uk/starborgs. All designs must fit the theme and appeal to children aged 4-11.

Cllr Richard Lewis, Cabinet Member for Central Services, Culture and Heritage, said: "Last year's Summer Reading Challenge was more popular than ever in Hillingdon, with almost 11,000 children visiting our libraries to take part.

“We had a record number of children completing the challenge, ranking the council as the second highest for participation in London.”

Designs can be hand drawn or digital and entries should be emailed to summerreadingchallenge@hillingdon.gov.uk by Friday, April 17