MORE than 120 children from schools across Teesside gave up their lunchtimes to complete a training course as student librarians.

The youngsters, from 17 secondary schools in the area, were given certificates by children's author Alan Gibbons at the fifth annual awards ceremony at St Michael's School, Billingham.

Liverpool-born Alan, a teacher for 16 years, won the Blue Peter Award 2000 for Shadow of the Minotaur, and is an author-in-residence on Merseyside.

The children completed a two-term course organised by the Schools Resources Service, a joint support service for schools in the four Teesside boroughs, which also included after-school work.

Schools resource officer Carolyn Rimmington said: "The course offers a great opportunity for pupils in different year groups to work together for the benefit of the whole school community.

"This year, not only have 30 students gone on to complete the advanced course, but the success of the scheme on Teesside has encouraged other authorities in the North-East to set up their own."

The schools taking part were: Bydales, Gillbrook, Huntcliff, Laurence Jackson, Rye Hills, Sacred Heart, and West Redcar, in Redcar and Cleveland; Blakeston, Egglescliffe, Ian Ramsey, Norton, and St Michael's, in Stockton; Acklam Grange, King's Academy and Newlands, in Middlesbrough; and English Martyrs and St Hilda's, in Hartlepool.