CBeebies and Blue Peter stars launch free family trail running in Manchester this summer

Hundreds of people turned up to an event to launch the Blue Peter Book Club and a free family trail that's running throughout this summer.

The BBC's iconic children’s TV series has partnered with Manchester Libraries and The Reading Agency on the exciting new project which will see schools and libraries across the UK taking part.

A fun-packed event was held at Manchester Central Library on Saturday to launch the club and gave families the chance to meet Blue Peter presenters Abby, Joel, and Shini, along with Henry the Blue Peter Dog.

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Peter Pan and Captain Hook, and his entourage in a pirate ship enticed families from St Peter's Square into the library with a promise of what was to come, as book characters from Alice and the Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka and the Wizarding World roved the library meeting children.

Visitors were also able to join CBeebies presenters George Webster and Gyasi Sheppi for 'magical stories' and enjoy fun shows with the Blue Peter presenters, as well as arts and crafts.

It featured guest authors Eve Ainsworth and the Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and included a book-inspired art installation of 10,000 paper birds across every floor of the library, created by local school children.

The day was organised to mark the official launch of the Blue Peter Book Club Badge Trail, which is challenging children to discover special Blue Peter badges on display in 12 different cultural venues across Manchester, with a bonus badge in the Blue Peter Garden in Salford.

A special trail map is available to guide curious minds to the various locations, where each badge will be decorated to celebrate one of 12 books in the Blue Peter Book Club. Each badge has a letter, find them all to create three special names and be in with a chance to win a prize.

Children will also be able to discover the Blue Peter Book Club booklist in unexpected settings as part of a series of 'Book Hunt' events in Manchester parks and open spaces over the summer.

Libraries and schools across the UK are being invited to join in with Blue Peter Book Club Live using activity packs and reading resources developed by The Reading Agency to create a nationwide celebration. The Blue Peter Book Club Live is supported through funding from the Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme.

Blue Peter Book Club Live will have 'a major presence on broadcast and digital'. A special episode is being shown on CBBC and BBC iPlayer at 5pm this Friday, May 24. It will air live from MediaCity UK and will be packed with book fun, authors, and a Biggest Book Club world record attempt.

Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council's executive member for skills, employment and leisure, said: “This was a fantastic event for families and children in Central Library. It was noisy, exciting and thrilling, and the children loved it. We hope this is just the start of a life- long love of reading and creativity for our children.

"We are delighted to be part of this new BBC project, Blue Peter Book Club Live and to have hosted this event in the library alongside our partners Blue Peter and The Reading Agency."

The Blue Peter Book Club Live Badge Trail runs from now until August 31. Free trail maps are available from the venues listed below:

• Manchester Central Library

• Withington Library

• Gorton Library

• Abraham Moss Library and Leisure Centre

• Z-Arts

• Poetry Library

• Manchester Museum

• Manchester Football Museum

• Science and Industry Museum

• Manchester Art Gallery

• Sackville Park

• Platt Fields Park

• Blue Peter Garden in Salford