AN award-winning library is to become the first in County Durham to open seven days a week.

This weekend, Clayport Library, in Durham City, will have its first Sunday opening and will celebrate with events ranging from a children's party to lute performances.

Councillor John Davies, Durham County Council's cabinet member for communities, said: "Sunday opening is part of the county council's strategy for improving access to services.

"Library users have been keen to tell us that they would like to use their library at weekends and this is a way of responding to that demand.

"At present, Clayport is the only library in the county to open on Sundays and we will be reviewing usage levels over the coming months."

It will be open from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Among the events to celebrate the change are lute music at 10am, storytelling at 11am, an African drumming workshop at noon, a clown-magician at 1pm and a children's party at 2pm.