A new world record could soon be on its way to Doncaster!

A total of 481 children from 20 schools throughout the Doncaster area read a sentence each from a book at the eighth annual Doncaster Book Award event at the week-end, beating the previous reading relay world record of 417.

Librarian Carol Wootton, Book Award secretary, said: "The children were so excited about being involved in a world record and film of the achievement will now be sent to the Guinness Book of Records for ratification. Hopefully, everything will be in order and we can claim the record for Doncaster."

The Book Award event was set up to encourage a love of reading and every year children vote for their favourite book. The reading relay was taken from last year's winner, The Thornthwaite Inheritance, by Gareth P. Jones who spoke at the Book Award event held at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium.

This year's favourite book was Billionaire Boy by comedian, writer and actor David Walliams who sent a message to the event to say how thrilled he was that Doncaster's schoolchildren had voted his book into the top spot.

The full day's programme, which started with a colourful parade featuring all 20 schools, included track and field athletic events with a literary theme and also an authors' spot where Gareth P. Jones and two other writers Philip Ardagh and Tanya Landman discussed their work and signed books.

The event also had the support of Doncaster Rovers Community Foundation.

Carol added: "The day was a fantastic success and it was a real thrill to see so many children so passionate about books and reading and having lots of fun at the same time."