LIBRARIES in Lancashire will be taking part in a week-long celebration of storytelling later this month.

Libraries across the county and the school library service will take the opportunity to read stories to children and to celebrate reading.

The annual National Storytelling Week is now in its 18th year and this year's will take place from Saturday 27 January to Saturday 3 February.

Following the closure of 26 of the county's 73 libraries by Lancashire County Council towards the end of 2016, a new administration was elected in May 2017, and has decided to re-open as many libraries as possible.

Plans have been agreed in recent months for the phased reopening of libraries, and Barrowford will be the eighth to reopen following the reopening of Burnley Campus Library and Fulwood Library in late 2017, and Freckleton Library and Oswaldtwistle Library earlier this month.

County Cllr Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: "This gives us a great opportunity to encourage children to read new books.

"It is also a great way to help children learn and explore their world, and to read at home with their family."

You can call in at your local library to find out more information about National Storytelling Week, and events and activities that are taking place.

More information about National Storytelling Week is available at www.sfs.org.uk