VILLAGERS are being asked to help write the final chapter in the history of Britain's oldest subscription library.

This week they are invited to take their pick of more than 3,000 books that have remained largely untouched in the library at Westgate, in Weardale, for the past 20 years.

It is hoped that the books will remain in people's homes as a permanent memento of the library, which was opened by lead miners and their families in 1788.

It had been planned to put the books into storage by the county library service, but that idea fell through because of the volumes' bulk.

Important books on the history of lead-mining and Weardale, as well as original furniture and shelving, have a new home at the Weardale Museum, at Ireshopeburn, and the Killhope lead-mining centre.

Villagers from Wolsingham to Cowshill are invited to select books at the library in Front Street, Westgate, between 5pm and 7pm on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the building in which the library was housed for so many years has been sold for about £30,000. The trustees will meet shortly to decide what to do with the money.

The new owner has agreed that a plaque, recording that the house was Britain's last subscription library, should be erected.