COLEFORD Library held a children’s picnic and puppet show on Saturday to launch the Roald Dahl-themed reading challenge running in libraries over the summer.

The Big Friendly Picnic included Sea Legs Puppet Theatre’s presentation of Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant. The story tells of a selfish giant who builds a wall around his garden to stop children playing in it.

Engage Youth Circus were teaching circus skills and the community team from the Forestry Commission held a workshop for children, creating houses for Roald Dahl’s Minpins characters.

Seth Fright, team leader at the library, said: “The event encouraged young people to take part in the challenge and to think about their local area, including the Forest’s wildlife. We wanted to inspire imaginations during the reading challenge.

“We had around 200 people over the course of the day and it really raised the profile of what we’re doing at the library. It was a great success.”

Coleford Library is running an art competition until September 10. Children aged from four to 12 are invited to enter a picture of their favourite Roald Dahl character.