A KEEN library-goer has been awarded with a dozen books of her choice after successfully guessing the number of novels used to create a special Christmas tree.

Staff at Darlington’s Crown Street library launched the competition in December to raise awareness of its facilities.

Winner Linda Chapman’s guess of 145 books in the literary Christmas tree was the closest to the actual number of 140 hardbacks and paperbacks used.

Staff hope the competition will allow people, especially the younger generation, to realise the fun aspects of libraries and what Darlington Library can give them.

Lending manager Carol Houghton said: “We had a fantastic response from the local community and will definitely be arranging a return competition for next year. Next year we might do a children’s version too, maybe a Santa sack full of books.”

Ms Chapman, from Darlington,  was allowed to choose 12 books of her choice from the 140 on display as her prize.