DOZENS of young readers have given up their lunch breaks to train as student librarians.

A total of 107 volunteer librarians from 15 secondary schools across Teesside will be presented with certificates at the annual Student Librarian Training Scheme awards tomorrow night.

Over the past six years, 600 pupils have completed the two-term course, which includes after-school work organised by the Schools Resources Service.

Carolyn Rimmington, Schools Resources Officer for Redcar and Cleveland Council, the lead authority co-ordinating the training, said: "The course offers a great opportunity for pupils in different year groups to work together for the benefit of the whole school.

"This year, not only have 31 students gone on to complete the advanced course, but the success of the scheme on Teesside has encouraged other authorities in the region to set up their own."

Children's author Cathy Cassidy, who is working with children at St Hild's, in Hartlepool, will present the certificates at the school at 7pm.

The schools that took part this year were Bydales in Marske, Gillbrook in Eston, Huntcliff in Saltburn, Laurence Jackson in Guisborough, Redcar Community College, Rye Hills and Sacred Heart in Redcar, Blakeston, Egglescliffe, Grangefield, Ian Ramsey and St Michaels in the Stockton area, King's Academy and Newlands from Middlesbrough and St Hild's in Hartlepool