LIBRARY books are to be given undercover protection.

It's not that the sight of sizzling best sellers and who dunnits could turn bookworms to crime.

But Cleveland Police see hitching a ride with the mobile library as just the ticket for meeting people in outlying villages.

The Force said that while mobile police stations have had some success, the library on wheels operated by Redcar and Cleveland Council is an arresting experience, attracting a regular clientele while stopping at out of the way villages.

Superintendent Dave Horner of Langbaurgh Police, said: "There are communities in East Cleveland that do not have the benefit of a permanent police station. The use of the mobile library is just one way for local beat officers to meet local residents.

"Instead of them looking for fictional characters in best sellers they can meet the real thing face to face."

The experiment starts on Wednesday, October 17, and will call at Stanghow, Lingdale, Margrove Park, Charltons, Moorsholm, Skinningrove and Carlin How.

The following day the bus will call at Carlin How, Skinningrove, Brotton, Liverton Village, Liverton mines, East Loftus and Easington Village.