WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has axed fines for late return of library books issued to children under 13 to encourage more youngsters to read.

Fines were scrapped from Monday for books but additional loan charges will still apply for audio-video material.

Cabinet member for Cultural Services, Councillor Adrian Hardman, said: "By scrapping overdue book fines for children, we can hopefully encourage more to visit their library and borrow a book.

"Fines were introduced to ensure popular books were available more often but their effect now is to discourage children who obviously don't have incomes of their own. Fines also discourage families on low incomes."

For details, call Library Services manager Cathy Evans on 01905 766232.