CHILDREN'S laureate Anne Fine yesterday presented two youngsters with awards for being top librarians.

Over several weeks, more than 100 youngsters from 19 primary and secondary schools have been undergoing training by Stockton Borough Libraries staff on how a library is organised, as well as the use of resources in it.

They were also given the chance to make improvements to their own school library.

The scheme enables participating pupils to become more competent librarians in their school library, by improving their individual library and information skills.

Teachers nominated one pupil per school for the award of Junior Librarian 2002 for primary and special schools and Young Librarian 2002 for secondary school students.

At an awards ceremony at Stockton Central Library Ms Fine presented this year's winners with their awards.

Carl Malcolm, from Oaktree Primary School, Stockton, won the Junior Librarian 2002 award and Jessica Blythe, from Billingham Campus School, Billingham, won Young Librarian 2002.