TWENTY keen readers will be the first to visit Durham's multi-million pound library.

The Durham Clayport Library, in the city's Millennium City complex, will be opened on Monday, at 9.30am, by BBC Look North presenter Carol Malia.

The 20, nominated by library staff, are the most frequent users of reference and lending services at Durham County Council's old library in South Street, which closed two weeks ago.

They will receive a commendation certificate and memorabilia from the day.

Manager June Gowland said: "Our 20 guests are from all age ranges and have made full use of all the facilities at South Street.

"With the excellent access to books and electronic media that Durham Clayport offers, we're sure they'll have an even better time when they come to visit or access us online."

The library's lower ground floor houses 22 computers, digital media equipment and a sounds and vision library.

The ground floor has more than 18,000 books and an online catalogue of the county's 800,000 collection.

Events to celebrate the opening include performances by the Palatinate Ensemble

The Palatinate Ensemble and St Margaret's Primary School's choir.

There will also be street theatre and storytelling sessions for local schoolchildren.

Free events will be held throughout the week including tours for reading groups, pre-school toddler sessions, junior focus groups, and taster sessions of the Durham Clayport Writing Group led by tutor Stephen Yelverton.

A free cartoon workshop, led by artist Steve Donald, will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 11am to 1pm and a music event will be held outside the library in Millennium Place from 1pm on the same day.

The new library takes its name from the historic Clayport Gate that was an entrance to the city for than 450 years.