AN initiative aimed at supporting reading for pleasure has launched.

Children's authors Guy Bass, Karen McCombie and Steven Webb launched The Fantastic Book Awards at the Samlesbury Hotel, Preston.

Thousands of children from Lancashire primary schools will take part in the scheme which is developed by Lancashire's school library service and will run until May 2018.

The main aim of the awards is to support reading for pleasure and enjoyment by introducing newly-published fiction titles to nine -11 year old pupils, and encourage them to meet and discuss them at informal book clubs.

Cllr Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: "This tremendous initiative to encourage reading is now running.

"We are fully committed to maintaining the high levels and standards of literacy here in Lancashire, and this is an important way that we do this. I will be taking a keen interest to see who has won next May."