LIBRARY staff opened their doors at the crack of dawn for a live radio broadcast to the nation.

BBC 6 music Breakfast Show presenter, Shaun Keaveny, returned to his hometown of Leigh yesterday for the first of two events.

Appearing at Leigh Library, Shaun delivered his show in front of an audience of fans, friends and family from 7am — talking about the history of the town and interviewing local people.

Guests included co-host Matt Everitt, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actor, Alex Carter, and New Order bassist Peter Hook.

Library customer service business manager, Andy Harrison, said: “It’s all a bit mad and I’m sure there are a few librarians from centuries ago turning in their graves at what we’re doing.

“We are always looking for new initiatives for libraries because we need to keep up-to-date.

“We always try to boost libraries and if this is what people want then it’s something we would consider doing again in the future.”

Shaun, who now lives in London, decided to bring his show ‘up North’ as part of a weekend to celebrate his hometown.

The 38-year-old said: “It’s been a completely weird trip but it was a lovely experience to see friends and family before us as we did our thing in Leigh.”

Tonight, Shaun will reveal some surprising facts about Leigh as he discusses his first book, R2D2 lives in Preston, during a sold-out event at the library.

It will also feature Bolton actress Maxine Peake and Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder.

R2D2 lives in Preston was published in November, 2010.

It is a compilation of little known facts relating to various towns throughout the UK, contributed by listeners to his radio show in a feature entitled Toast The Nation. 6 Music is the BBC’s interactive digital radio station that celebrates alternative music and culture IT has a weekly audience reach of 1.2m listeners, making it the biggest and most listened to digitalonly radio station in the UK.