EAST Durham residents can now pick up a prescription with a difference thanks to the launch of an unusual scheme.

Books on Prescription (Bop), is a joint venture involving Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Durham County Council, and is the first service of its kind in the North-East.

It offers anyone suffering from mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, lack of self-esteem or bereavement, access to a range of self-help books at ten libraries across the Easington area.

There are 16 publications available in the scheme, and each local library in the area now holds copies of the booklets.

Sheila Owens, the county council's library divisional manager, said: "The ethos behind Bop is that many of us suffer from very mild mental health problems at some point in our lives, but because the problems are so mild you don't want to resort to taking pills, and counselling seems a step too far.

"A self-help book is like having someone to talk to without having to take that extra step, it's like thinking aloud.

"The scheme uses only those books which have been thoroughly tested by mental health practitioners and which have been proved to work when correctly used.''

Telephone support is also available for those who may have difficulties understanding the books.

Martin Armitage, Easington PCT's head of children and mental health services, said: "The Bop scheme is aimed at people with mild mental health problems, and can be used as a first line of treatment or to complement prescribed medication."