AT just a few weeks old, two of a library's youngest borrowers are already enjoying a good book with the rest of their families.

Research has shown that children who are introduced to books at an early age do better in English and mathematics at school.

But five-week-old Anya Liddle, from Trinity Gardens, Willington, and Josie Potter, who is a fortnight older and lives in Crook, have started younger than most at Crook library, as part of the Bookstart project.

Anya is following in the footsteps of sister Bethany, two, who likes to share her daily story session. Josie has Benjamin, seven, to read to her at home in Victoria Avenue.

Parents Karla and David Liddle, and Bridget Burke and Chris Potter, are sure the youngsters enjoy the experience.

Crook librarian Maureen Robinson said: "Bookstart aims to promote the benefits for young children of reading, and to encourage mothers to enrol their babies in libraries at a very young age. Anya was just two weeks old, and they don't come much younger than that."

Launched in 1999 and sponsored by Sainsbury's until next April, the project gives free books and information for parents at their child's seven-to-nine-month health check.

Babies in the Crook, Willington and Wolsingham scheme had their photographs taken for library displays. Crook library can be contacted on (01388) 762269, Willington library on 746341, and Wolsingham library on 527625.