THE chips were down for young readers at the launch of Bury's new Reading Lifelines project.

A "taster" session with a difference was held on Thursday (June 28) at the Topping Fold Outreach Library in Bury.

Staff served up chips while children's entertainer Cookie the Chef (Geoff Bennett) performed some fun and games. The project linked 18 libraries around the North West and used information technology to encourage those aged from 16 to 26 to read. Bury's aim was to target young parents and their children.

A Government grant has helped library staff to buy laptop computers and a special collection of books covering topics from graphic novels to childcare and computing, along with a set of CD-ROMs.

Councillor Siobhan Costello, arts and culture spokesman, said: "This was a chance for local parents and their youngsters to take advantage of a whole new host of reading and IT material.

"Our intention is hold regular Thursday afternoon drop-in sessions at the library for the target age range.

"We hope that parents and their children who have the opportunity will call in to find out more."