LONDON -- Upon the launch of the annual WrestleMania Reading Challenge campaign this week, World Wrestling Entertainment and The National Literacy Trust announced the results of a poll which reveals that only 10 percent of British children younger than 16 do not enjoy reading books as a form of entertainment. (WATCH)

Run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, the WrestleMania Reading Challenge, now in its third year, encourages more British children to read. To launch this year's campaign, a poll of 3,000 young people was carried out on wwe.com, revealing that, despite strong competition for entertainment and leisure time, reading a book still retains its sense of magic.

The WrestleMania Reading Challenge has already positively influenced thousands of British pupils by leveraging the popularity of WWE to help improve reading skills.

Schools Minister, Diana Johnson, said, "Reading is fun and opens doors to new ideas and information. It is important for young people, and in particular boys, to have strong reading role models. The WrestleMania Reading Challenge is a great example of how schools can get their pupils excited about reading."

Upon launching the Challenge, Andrew Whitaker, President of International for WWE, said, "Our survey results demonstrate that Britain's youth have a passion for literature and reading, which we positively encourage through our ongoing partnership with the NLT. We are delighted to take the WrestleMania Reading Challenge into its third year together."

More on the Challenge
The WrestleMania Reading Challenge invites primary and secondary school children from more than 2,600 U.K. schools to read five books, comics or magazines within the term. After completing the Challenge, each child is asked to submit 100 words that persuade a WWE Superstar or Diva to read their favorite piece of literature.

The entries are read by a panel of judges from WWE and the NLT, with two primary school children and two secondary school children named the winners and rewarded with the trip of a lifetime to WrestleMania XXVI in Phoenix in March 2010.

The WrestleMania Reading Challenge is open to all schools that are signed up to the National Literacy Trust's Reading Champions program, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Schools that are not already part of the Reading Champions initiative can sign up at www.readingchampions.org.uk. 

Also, the WrestleMania Reading Challenge kicked off this week in the United States and Canada. Learn more about how North American students can read to win a trip to WrestleMania XXVI in Phoenix!