AN insight into the reading habits of British lead miners and their families over two centuries is to be given a permanent resting place.

Records of books lent out at the country's oldest subscription library - in a dales cottage - are to be handed over to the Durham County Record Office and Archives.

Lists of miners and their families borrowing books have been kept in the library in Westgate, in Weardale, since 1788.

But earlier this year the library's trustees decided the building, in Front Street where it has been housed since 1839, would have to close because of lack of use and the need for repairs.

Florence Hodgson, the custodian who looked after the library in two converted bedrooms in the cottage for 55 years, also announced her retirement. She is soon to move into a new home.

Durham County archivist Jennifer Gill said: "This is one of the most important pieces of intellectual history to be uncovered since the end of the Industrial Revolution. It gives a complete history of the reading habits of lead miners and their families from 1788 to nearly the present day. It is immensely important."

Miss Gill said so far they had seen five volumes of records, giving the names of library members, their numbers and the subscriptions they paid.

There were also brief minutes of meetings of the trustees over the centuries.

Miss Gill said: "We are very thrilled we have been offered these for our archives. Although some of the manuscripts are in poor condition, they can be repaired."

Teacher Brian Hunter, the last librarian at Westgate, said: "After meetings of the trustees we decided that the county archives was the best place to keep the records."

Mr Hunter said the pick of the hundreds of books still kept in the library - ranging from lead-mining history, Victorian romances to Wild West cowboy tales - would be offered to the local Weardale Museum and the mining centre at nearby Nenthead.

"After that, although no firm decision has been taken by the trustees, the rest are likely to be made available to local people," he said.