A NEW award is applauding the work school libraries do to encourage children to read.

WLCT’s Schools Cultural Service has launched the Schools Library Award for schools in the borough and Lowton CE High School was the first to receive the accolade.

Reanne Birch, learning resource centre manager at Lowton, was presented with the award.

She said: “It is really great to get this kind of recognition, especially as the award takes into account whether we are encouraging children as well as things like the set up and whether it is a warm and friendly environment.

“I’ve only been running the library on my own for about a year since my joint manager left so it is good to know that everything is going well.”

To find out more, email schools.library@wlct.org ensuring your name, job title and school name are in the body of the email, or call 01942 486987.