STOCKTON Borough Council's library service is celebrating gaining Charter Mark status for the second time.

The assessors said: "The concept of customer service is well-embedded within the library service culture at all levels and amongst support as well as frontline staff.

"A forward-looking and inn-ovative service is being developed with the application strong across all criteria."

The assessors were also impressed with its work with the visually impaired, the services provided within the two local prisons and the range of mobile services.

Councillor Alex Cunningham, the council's cabinet member for education, leisure and cultural services, said: "I am delighted the accolades for our library services are continuing to flow.

"We were very proud to achieve beacon status, but now to have the charter mark renewed is another major achievement and we should all congratulate the staff for the high quality of services they deliver to the public.