Young bookworms across the county have smashed the two million mark for minutes spent reading at home.

Top readers from schools signed up to Buster’s Book Club, the literacy initiative run by the KM Group’s charity department, joined supporters of the scheme at Leeds Castle, Maidstone to unveil the impressive result.

In total, pupils taking part in Buster’s Book Club have racked up 2,001,639 minutes of home reading since September 2014.

Penny Bill, improvement advisor for literacy at Kent County Council said: “We’ve had over 10,000 children involved from 40 schools and they’ve clocked up over two million reading minutes, which is absolutely terrific and can only help with children’s reading and their love of books.”

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said: “Our home reading initiative Buster’s Book Club has passed a major milestone.

“We are staggered by the scheme’s success and delighted that so many pupils are getting the reading bug. Boys in particular enjoy the competitive element and it’s so easy for families to get involved.”

Buster’s Book Club sets a reading target by year group and provides incentives for the children including prizes for star readers and a class of the week trophy.

Inter-school reading challenges reward best or most improved classes with prizes including storyteller visits, hampers of books, and tickets to Kent attractions Leeds Castle and Silver Blades ice rink.

The initiative is supported by Kent County Council, Medway Council, Mini Babybel, Specsavers, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, The Ernest Cook Trust, and Three R’s Teacher Recruitment.

Schools wanting to sign up to Buster’s Book Club should visit www.bustersbookclub.co.uk.