Schools and children can showcase their favourite places to read through a special Norfolk Day contest.

Eastern Daily Press: Children from Rose Hill Primary School in Ipswich who took part in the Beanstalk charity's online competition to find the best reading spot in Suffolk. It is launching a competition in Norfolk to celebrate Norfolk Day Picture: ROSE HILL PRIMARY SCHOOLChildren from Rose Hill Primary School in Ipswich who took part in the Beanstalk charity's online competition to find the best reading spot in Suffolk. It is launching a competition in Norfolk to celebrate Norfolk Day Picture: ROSE HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL (Image: ROSE HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL)

The #bestreadingsportinnorfolk competition has been organised by national literacy charity Beanstalk, which helps 10,000 nursery and primary school-aged youngsters improve their reading each year across the country.

Eastern Daily Press: Claire Wall, Beanstalk team leader for Suffolk and Norfolk Picture: BEANSTALK CHARITYClaire Wall, Beanstalk team leader for Suffolk and Norfolk Picture: BEANSTALK CHARITY (Image: BEANSTALK CHARITY)

All primary schools across Norfolk can enter pictures of popular spots for reading across the county by midnight on July 24.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Day LogoNorfolk Day Logo (Image: Archant)

These can include a cosy classroom corner, school trip location or local place pupils love to visit.

Pictures do not have to include children, depending on each school's internet safety policy, but must be submitted via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by midnight on July 24.

Entries must include the school name, hashtags

#bestreadingspotinnorfolk #norfolkday, and a description of why the pictured spot is popular, as well as the tag @BeanstalkEast.

Claire Wall, former primary school teacher and Suffolk and Norfolk team leader for Beanstalk, said: 'We are trying to make reading more exciting and encourage reading for pleasure. The competition allows people to see great places in Norfolk.'

The first ever Norfolk Day takes place on Friday, July 27 and the Beanstalk competition is one of nearly 200 events taking place across different communities celebrating what is great about the county.

Members of the Beanstalk Norfolk team will choose the best photo.

The winning school will receive a visit from Benjamin Scott, writer of the Star Fighters books.

Speaking about the importance of reading, Mrs Wall, 36, said: 'A lot of children say it is boring. It is about finding the right book. Once children have that they are hooked.

'If you don't have literacy skills it causes a lifelong disadvantage. When you get that love for reading it sets you up for life.'

Beanstalk started about 40 years ago and moved in Norfolk in 2016.

It helps children who struggle with reading and volunteers work with one child twice a week for 30 minutes for a whole year.

To volunteer and for more competition information visit www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk?Let us know your Norfolk Day event by emailing norfolkday@archant.co.uk or tweeting @norfolk.

Norfolk Day online shop

An online shop has been launched selling Norfolk Day marketing material which event organisers can display on the day.

The shop is selling a four-pack of flags, four-pack of A3 posters and 20 balloons at £4, while 5m of bunting is £8.

Celebration packs containing all of the above are available for £18.

Norfolk Day takes place on Friday, July 27, and is intended as a day of fun in which individuals, community groups and businesses are encouraged to get involved by hosting or participating in events.

The initiative was launched by the EDP and Norwich Evening News in partnership with BBC Radio Norfolk and has the backing of business and community organisations who are planning events for the day.

Details of events will be revealed in the newspaper, online and via social media.

To order Norfolk Day materials visit www.norfolkday.co.uk shop to buy celebratory items.