LIBRARY services are being taken into schools to encourage youngsters to read more.

Darlington's mobile library made its first classroom visit yesterday, when pupils at St John's Primary School were given a tour of the library and shown how to take out books on loan.

The mobile library has previously focused on villages.

But it was decided to bring the library to the youngsters to ensure all children, whatever their backgrounds, could afford to read and enjoy books.

Councillor Eleanor Lister, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for education, said: "We want to help young children to read and we want them to find it fun as well as informative.

"The mobile library will give them an opportunity and, in some cases, a first opportunity, to find out how easy it is to borrow books."

* Pupils at St John's also received a special visit from a local fundraiser yesterday.

Ken Southwood, landlord of the Lascelles Park Hotel, opposite the school, presented a cheque for £500 which was raised by drinkers through an Easter raffle.

The money has been given to the pupils to spend on more books for the school.