PLANS to scrap fines on overdue library books borrowed by children in Darlington were approved last night.

People under 17 will be exempt from charges by Darlington Borough Council after the cabinet ratification committee approved the plan last night.

A report by Geoff Pennington, the authority's director of education, said: "Most library services are free, but the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 enables authorities to charge fines for overdue books and other items.

"Children are charged at half the adult rate, and this can be a disincentive to library use."

Darlington council's libraries' charging structure was inherited from Durham County Council in 1997, and has been reviewed each year.

Fines were set at 10p per item per day in 1997 and raised to 12p in 1999.

Compared with neighbouring authorities, the fines are comparatively high.

Mr Pennington's report said: "There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that high level deter some casual users from borrowing.

"In particular, parents may be inclined to discourage children from borrowing, and therefore reading, once they start to incur fines."

"The abolition of fines for children would undoubtedly help, and remove the disincentive that children from poorer families experience."

Last night's meeting heard that the abolition of junior fines would have an adverse effect on the library budget, costing it about £3,000 a year.

The shortfall could be made up from increased charges elsewhere, including book reservations and audio borrowings.

The fines are to be scrapped from April 1