READERS could soon be picking up their library books along with tins of beans and packets of cornflakes.

Trafford council is considering extending their library service into supermarkets and other high street locations.

The idea is being studied following the successful move of two libraries into sports centres.

Cllr Dave Quayle said: "I think we should be looking at supermarkets. We should be getting library books into the community.

"The libraries in sports centres have been a great success and we should be looking at other venues - supermarkets are the obvious choice."

Trafford caused a few raised eyebrows when it decided to move the Flixton and Firswood libraries into sports centres and Lostock Library into a school. The scheme cost nearly £500,000.

Library staff and opposition councillors raised fears of noise and theft - particularly as the new libraries are unmanned at times.

But council leader David Acton said: "The library service has always been based on trust and I know there were some concerns. But people are using the service responsibly. There has been very little abuse of the system.

"There are CCTV cameras but there has been no evidence that theft of books has got worse. Should there be any problems we would obviously take whatever steps necessary. But more people are using the libraries than before - it has been a great success."

Finance chief Cllr Pauleen Lane added: "It has been an even bigger success than we thought it would be. We are the only council in Greater Manchester to have increased library useage.

"We will certainly be looking at further expansion of the service - including the possibility of using supermarkets."

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