READING a good book is more exciting than scaling a cliff!

That is the message from a North West-based library project -- and to prove the point four Lancashire Library staff based at Preston's Savick library scaled the climbing wall at West View Leisure Centre, Ribbleton Lane, to launch a new project on Tuesday.

The North West Reading Lifelines project aims to encourage young people from across the county to get into the habit of attending libraries and reading books.

Julie Spencer, Reading Lifelines co-ordinator, said: "The image of libraries and librarians needs challenging.

"Some people's perceptions are out of date. When you go in to a library these days, you could have an equally exciting experience with a wide range of white-knuckle reads aimed at young people.

"Publishers are now targeting young people with a brilliant range of new books for 16 and 25-year-olds each year, all of which you can pick up from your local library."

As well as trying to raise awareness, Preston's intrepid wall-climbing librarians were also being sponsored to raise money for a young mothers and toddlers group at Savick Library, in West Park Avenue.

Tuesday's launch was just the start of a wider campaign to promote libraries to younger readers, including posters on the back of buses throughout the region featuring young local actors from Coronation Street, Brookside and Hollyoaks.

Young people can also check out a dedicated website -- www.everybody'sreading.com -- for more information.

Anne Caldwell, who is a Reading Lifelines co-ordinator and among the four who scaled the climbing wall, said: "We all did the beginners and advanced wall and, to be honest, we all did absolutely brilliantly!

"We raised £50 for the mothers and toddlers group and will be holding a big party at the end of June to celebrate our achievement."