IT may sound like something from a James Bond film but technology that recognises people from their thumbprints has been installed at a village school library.

Sacriston Junior School, near Chester-le-Street, recently refurbished its library, throwing out books that were no longer relevant, buying new ones and installing new furniture.

But the most intriguing aspect of the redesign has been the installation of a thumbprint scheme for borrowing books.

Children's thumbprints have been scanned into the computer and when they want to borrow a book they put their thumbs on to a sensor and then log their books in and out of the library by swiping the bar code.

Headteacher Pauline Warren said data stored by the computer will help them work out what type of books boys or girls of a certain age prefer, and allow them to keep a record of the children's reading.

Mrs Warren said she also hoped the technology would encourage more of the older boys to come into the library.

She said: "Children not normally interested in going to the library will come in to use the technology, so we can hopefully get them interested in reading as well. This is particularly the case with boys, because a lot of them, by the time they get to ten or 11, are not that keen on reading.

"It also helps us keep check of the books, find out what they are reading and find out what books they like.

"As adults, we tend to buy what we think the children will like but that isn't necessarily the case."

Money for the library refurbishment was raised partly by the school's parent action group, through events including summer fairs and book sales.

It was opened during a ceremony on Friday, attended by headteachers from local schools, governors and representatives from local businesses.

Pupils from Fyndoune Community College, who raised money for the library as part of a community project, also attended.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones, who performed the opening ceremony, said: "The thumbprint scheme will provide a more fun, user-friendly alternative to borrowing books than the traditional issuing of tickets.

"I am sure the children will find using the library an enjoyable experience."