PUPILS at a North-East school use thumbprints to borrow books from their new hi-tech library - and then sit back to read the book in a comfortable bath.

Youngsters at Tanfield Lea Junior School in Tanfield Lea, Stanley, County Durham, press their thumb on a sensor, then scan the book's bar code themselves.

They are then able to keep the book for as long as they like, before submitting a short review.

Favourites include the Harry Potter series, the Tracy Beaker stories and the Horrible History books.

The library is also equipped with computers, and there are settees and a bath filled with cushions so youngsters can read and relax in comfort.

Teaching assistant Linda Smith said: "The children love it and they are desperate to get in the library to change their books. There is always a queue to sit in the bath and we are developing a rota.

"The lending system is all computerised and makes life much easier."

The library cost £6,000 from school funds, but teachers and pupils organised fairs and non-uniform days to raise £4,000 to buy books.