CHILDREN across Dorset are being encouraged to have a bear-y good time by visiting the county's libraries.

BookTrust, the largest reading charity in the UK, has teamed up with Dorset County Council to pilot a free sticker storybook for young children in eleven libraries across the county.

The bBear's reading adventure book, called Bear’s Reading Adventure, was written and produced by children’s reading charity BookTrust in partnership with Igloo Books.

The story follows BookTrust’s blue bear mascot on his reading adventure, which takes him to the park, supermarket and of course the library.

However, there are ten objects missing from bear’s adventure which children are tasked with finding.

Children will earn a sticker of the missing object every time they go to the library, which BookTrust hopes will encourage families to visit the library regularly and read together every day.

Cllr Colin Jamieson, Dorset County Council cabinet member for economy and growth, said: “Libraries are a wonderful free resource for everyone. We are very fortunate to be able to pilot Bear’s Reading Adventure at several Dorset Libraries.

“Families who have young children will get a free sticker storybook on their next visit – a great incentive and a fun way to encourage regular library visits.”

When children have collected all ten stickers they can download a certificate from www.bookstart.org.uk/bearsadventure which also contains more tips for families on how they can have fun reading together every day.

The sticker storybook will be piloted in eleven libraries across Dorset which include Bridport, Corfe Mullen, Dorchester, Ferndown, Highcliffe, Littlemoor, Portland Tophill, Swanage, West Moors, and Wimborne.